High Court of Kerala (File Image)

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has called for legislative amendments to lower the age threshold for juveniles and children in conflict with the law to 16 years, citing their growing maturity at that age.

Justice A Bhadarudeen made the observation while hearing a petition filed by Vinod Vikram of Kollam, seeking strict action against the sale and serving of liquor to, and its consumption by, persons below 23 years of age.

The petitioner referred to a recent accident at Nedumbassery in which an 18-year-old, allegedly under the influence of liquor, rammed his Mini Cooper car into a scooter, killing three persons.

The petitioner has impleaded the state government, the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Excise Commissioner and the managing directors of three bars that allegedly served liquor to Suhail Sajeev, the prime accused in the Nedumbassery accident case.

The court, on Friday, observed that the writ petition required detailed consideration in view of several similar incidents reported recently.

"That apart, it is high time for the legislatures to consider appropriate amendments in the statutes which deal with the 'juveniles and child in conflict' with law to reduce age to 16 years, taking note of the present trend showing sufficient maturity by children when they reach the age of 16. This aspect is also to be appropriately addressed," the court said in its interim order.

The court directed the Excise Commissioner to file a statement detailing the directions issued to ensure the implementation of the statutory provisions of the Kerala Abkari Act, along with suggestions on how they could be effectively enforced to protect the public from danger.

The court will consider the matter again on November 24.

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