Check Age of Consumers at Liquor Shops: Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Reply on Plea

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday sought a reply from Centre on a petition seeking direction for an effective protocol and comprehensive policy to enforce mandatory verification at liquor sales points.

petition said that excise policies in various states set legal limits for consumption or possession of alcohol, but re is a lack of a robust mechanism to verify of consumers or buyers at points of sale or consumption.

petition, which also opposed doorstep delivery of liquor, argued that such a service would contribute to development of alcohol consumption habits among under individuals. matter was heard by a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan.

' of Consumers at Liquor Shops Should Be Checked'

counsel for petitioner, NGO "Community Against Drunken Driving," contended that re is effective system in place to verify of consumers or buyers at liquor stores, bars, pubs, and similar establishments. y emphasized that a strong policy to dress this issue could play a significant role in reducing drunken driving and curbing under alcohol consumption.

petitioner proposed that individuals who sell, serve, or provide alcohol to mirs should face a penalty of Rs 50,000, a three-month jail term, or both.

petition has named Centre, all states, and Union Territories as respondents.

" petitioner understands that many of respondents herein are considering proposals to allow doorstep delivery of alcohol. If doorstep delivery is allowed it would facilitate easy access to alcohol for young people and will hasten formation of habit of alcohol consumption among under persons," plea, filed through vocate Vipin Nair, said.

SC Issues tice To Centre

bench said it would issue tice to Centre seeking its response to plea.

"Issue tice, restricted to respondent number one (Union of India)," bench said and posted matter for hearing after three weeks.

petition has called for a directive to formulate and implement a policy mandating verification at all outlets serving alcohol.

It requests that all such outlets be required to verify, check, and maintain records of individuals to whom alcohol is served.

ditionally, plea seeks an order to establish an effective protocol and mechanism for enforcing mandatory checks to prevent under drinking at alcohol sales points, such as liquor stores, pubs, bars, and restaurants, through biometric verification using government-issued identity cards.

petition also referenced data collected by petitioner in 2017, which indicated a 20 percent increase in accidents caused by drunken driving.