Politics · India Bureau
Kerala bars must verify age documents for suspected underage customers
Kerala's alcohol regulation authority has directed bar and restaurant establishments to verify customer identification when they appear younger than 23 years old. The directive aims to strengthen enforcement of age-based liquor sale restrictions across the state.
LSN India ·
Bar and restaurant owners in Kerala must verify the age of customers they suspect to be under 23 years through proper documentation, a senior state minister has directed. The instruction comes as part of stricter compliance measures to regulate alcohol sales across the southern state.
The directive reflects growing concern about underage drinking and the need for hospitality venues to maintain due diligence when serving alcoholic beverages. Under Indian law, the legal drinking age is 18 years, though states have the authority to enforce additional regulations within their borders.
The age verification requirement places the onus on bar staff to proactively check identity documents—such as passports, driver's licenses, or voter cards—when customers appear to fall below the prescribed threshold. This is intended to create an additional layer of protection against illegal alcohol sales to minors.
The Kerala government's move aligns with broader efforts across Indian states to tighten alcohol regulation and address public health concerns. Hospitality establishments that fail to comply with the age verification directive may face penalties and license suspension.