Supreme Court Seeks Input on Age Verification Policy for Liquor Sales

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a mandatory age verification protocol for liquor sales in India. The plea emphasizes the absence of an effective mechanism to deter underage drinking and highlights increased drunken driving incidents. The court has asked the Centre for a response.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to respond to a petition calling for the implementation of a robust age verification policy for liquor sales. The plea underscores the lack of an effective system to prevent underage drinking, which could potentially lead to an increase in alcohol-related incidents.

The petition, presented by the NGO 'Community Against Drunken Driving', argues against the introduction of doorstep alcohol delivery services, which they claim could exacerbate the issue of underage drinking. The plea also suggests heavy fines and jail time for anyone caught selling alcohol to minors.

The Supreme Court has limited the notice to the Union of India, and the case will be revisited in three weeks. The petition also references international age verification protocols and calls for similar measures in India, citing WHO statistics on rising alcohol consumption among young people.

(With inputs from agencies.)