The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the city government’s response on a plea seeking to lower the legal drinking age, currently 25 years, in the Capital.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar also issued a notice to the Delhi government’s Excise Department as the plea has sought quashing of a provision in the Delhi Excise Act, which prescribes 25 years as the minimum legal age for buying or drinking alcohol in the Capital.
The petition filed by advocate Kush Kalra contended that the legal drinking age in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Telangana and Jharkhand was 21, while in Rajasthan and Puducherry it was 18.
“It is imperative to have laws relating to consumption of alcohol to be congruent with current social behaviour and expectations,” Mr. Kalra said.
A person coming to Delhi from a State which legalises drinking at the age of 18 years is likely to continue consuming alcohol thus criminalising their behaviour, the lawyer contended.
“On the other hand, young persons from Delhi travel to States that have lower age limits, which raises question about how a person by moving his/her location becomes responsible,” the plea said.
Mr. Kalra said that the minimum legal age for marriage is 18/21 years, for a permanent driving license its 18 years, and voting age is also 18 years, but the Delhi government has not provided any rational for keeping the legal drinking age at 25.
He further claimed that around 67% of Delhiites in the age group of 18-25 years purchased alcohol from liquor vends but were never asked for age proof.
“Police at roadside check points only fine people for liquor consumption in excess of the permissible limit and do not penalise persons aged 18-25 years for drinking,” the lawyer said.
The plea has sought directions to the Delhi government to conduct awareness programmes on responsible consumption of alcohol among college and school-going students by including it in the curriculum.
The case has been listed for hearing on October 9.
