Ensure liquor is not sold to minors, Madras High Court tells government

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed authorities to prevent the sale of liquor to minors by increasing awareness, sensitisation of all stakeholders where liquor is sold and to verify the age when in doubt.

The First bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana before which a petition filed by A.Narayanan of Change India came up for hearing, said, “It is trite to say there is increase in drinking habits and thus, it is necessary to ensure that the age bar rule is enforced effectively”.

Narayanan sought a directive to the authorities to prevent the sale of alcohol to persons below 21-years of age. Steps should be taken to ensure effective implementation of prohibition rules to evolve an effective mechanism to monitor the purchase of alcohol from Tasmac outlets and bars run by hotels and other establishments permitted to serve alcohol.

Narayanan said video cameras should be fitted in IMFL outlets so that both purchase and sale can be documented and monitored. Advocate-General A.L.Somayaji assured the Bench that government would take necessary steps and due publicity given.