Supreme Court questions Centre’s silence on a PIL for mandatory age verification at liquor outlets, asking orally whether the Union government takes the matter seriously.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Union government’s failure to respond to a public interest litigation seeking strict age checks at liquor outlets, asking orally, “They don’t take this seriously?” [Community Against Drunken Driving v. Union of India].
The Bench, whose composition and further directions were not available at the time of writing, was hearing the petition filed by the non-governmental organisation Community Against Drunken Driving, registered as Diary No. 29463 of 2024.
How the case reached here
The PIL asks the Court to direct the Union government to put in place an age-verification mechanism at liquor shops to curb underage drinking. It argues that states regulate the sale of alcohol by age but have no mechanism to verify the age of buyers. Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate PB Suresh said underage drinking is widespread and that a 15 or 16-year-old can buy alcohol with no record of the buyer, and added that the petition does not challenge state-specific age limits, since alcohol is a State subject.
On November 11, 2024, a Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan issued notice only to the Union government, returnable in three weeks, although the petitioner had named all States and Union Territories as respondents. During that hearing the Bench asked what would happen if liquor were bought in someone else’s name, with Justice Viswanathan giving the example of a servant sent to make the purchase. The Bench also took note of cross-border purchases by residents of dry States, and of doorstep delivery of alcohol that began in Bihar because of prohibition.
Why the order matters
Because alcohol is a State subject, any national age-verification protocol would require coordination between the Centre and the States. The Court’s remark signals that it expects the Union to place its position on record on a petition that has been pending since 2024. The petitioner’s case and the Centre’s position remain to be tested, and the Court has not yet decided the prayers.
Case Title: Community Against Drunken Driving v. Union of India [Diary No. 29463 of 2024]
Court: Supreme Court of India (Bench not available)
Date of Hearing: October 14, 2026