Kerala HC Suggests Lowering Juvenile Justice Age Threshold to 16 [Read Order]

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has admitted a writ petition alleging non-compliance with Sections 15A and 15B of the Kerala Abkari Act, 1077, which prohibit the sale, service and consumption of liquor by persons below 23 years of age, and has directed the third respondent to file a statement disclosing the directions issued to implement those provisions. 

The Court also observed that it is “high time for the legislatures to consider appropriate amendments” to reduce the age under the statutes dealing with juveniles and children in conflict with law to 16 years.

Justice A. Badharudeen was hearing W.P.(Crl.) No. 1746 of 2026 filed by Vinod Vikraman Pillai against the State of Kerala and others. Both sides were heard before the petition was admitted.

As recorded in the order, the grievance, confined to ‘Ground A’ of the petition, is that Sections 15A and 15B impose a mandatory statutory prohibition on the sale, service and consumption of liquor by persons below 23 years and a corresponding enforceable duty on the respondents to secure it. According to the petitioner, the “admitted pervasive service of liquor to underage persons in licensed premises” is a dereliction of that duty.

Noting recent incidents in which persons below 18 years caused fatal accidents and motor vehicle mishaps after consuming alcohol, taking advantage of the easy availability of liquor without restriction and ignoring the statutory restrictions, the Court said the petition “would require detailed hearing”.

The Court then observed that the legislatures should consider reducing the age under the statutes dealing with ‘juveniles and child in conflict’ with law to 16 years, “taking note of the present trend showing sufficient maturity by children when they reach the age of 16”, and added that this aspect should also be appropriately addressed.

The third respondent was specifically directed to file a statement disclosing the directions issued to implement the statutory mandates of Sections 15A and 15B of the Abkari Act, along with possible suggestions on how they can be implemented “with a view to save the public from danger”. The matter will be heard next on 24.11.2026.

The order is an interim one. The Court has not recorded any finding on the allegations, and the observation on juvenile age is not a direction.

Appearances:

For the Petitioner: Mr. U. Jayakrishnan, Advocate.

Case Title: Vinod Vikraman Pillai vs. State of Kerala & Others, W.P.(Crl.) No. 1746 of 2026

[Read Order]