KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has observed that legislatures should consider amending laws governing juveniles and children in conflict with the law to lower the age limit to 16 years, noting that children today show sufficient maturity by that age.
Justice A. Badharudeen made the observation on Friday, November 13, while admitting a criminal writ petition filed by 46-year-old Kollam resident and journalist Vinod Vikraman Pillai. In his order, the judge stated that it is high time lawmakers review juvenile statutes alongside addressing public safety concerns linked to underage drinking.
The petition (Vinod Vikraman Pillai v. State of Kerala & Ors.) challenges the alleged failure of state authorities to enforce Sections 15A and 15B of the Kerala Abkari Act. These provisions bar individuals under 23 years of age from consuming alcohol and prohibit licensed establishments from selling or serving liquor to them. Pillai’s counsel, Advocate U. Jayakrishnan, argued that licensed bars routinely serve underage patrons, amounting to a dereliction of statutory duty by enforcement agencies.
The plea points to recent fatal road accidents caused by drivers under 18 who had consumed alcohol, as well as a fatal Mini Cooper crash at Nedumbassery involving an intoxicated 19-year-old, leading ti death of three prople. Pillai contended that easy access to liquor for minors despite statutory bans endangers public safety.
Earlier, on October 15, Pillai submitted a representation to the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) and the Excise Commissioner. He sought mandatory electronic age verification at bars, strict action against three Kochi hotels named as respondents, and a vigilance probe into excise officials allegedly taking bribes. After authorities failed to act on his complaint, he moved the High Court.
Observing that the matter requires a detailed hearing, Justice Badharudeen directed the Excise Commissioner to file a statement outlining the steps already taken to enforce Sections 15A and 15B of the Abkari Act. The court also asked for practical suggestions on how to implement these safeguards to protect the public from danger, and posted the case for November 24.
(With inputs from media reports)