Bars Must Verify IDs if Customers Suspected To Be Under 23 Yrs: M Liju
Keralam Excise Minister M Liju said the legal drinking age in the state was 23, and that the responsibility for ensuring liquor was not served to underage customers rested with bars
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2026-10-30 12:27 GMT
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has directed bars to strictly enforce the ban on serving liquor to people below 23 years of age, following a fatal car accident in Kochi that claimed three young lives.
Excise minister M. Liju on Friday directed bar owners to verify the age of young customers through Aadhaar cards or other valid identity documents before serving alcohol.
The directive follows an accident involving a Mini Cooper driven by 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev. Three youngsters were killed in the crash.
Suhail had reportedly visited at least three bars before the accident and was heavily intoxicated at the time.
The minister warned that bars found serving liquor to anyone below the legal drinking age would face stringent action.
He said it was unacceptable for underage individuals to visit bars, consume alcohol and drive, endangering the lives of others.
Liju instructed bar owners to strictly enforce age restrictions and warned that the government would act against establishments violating the rules.