Published • loading... • Updated
UDF govt plans balanced liquor policy focusing on responsible drinking, tourism
Bars must check Aadhaar cards for customers who appear under 23, and violators face licence suspension after a crash that killed three students.
- On Friday, October 30, 2026, Kerala Excise Minister M. Liju ordered bars across the state to implement mandatory Aadhaar-based age verification for customers appearing under the legal drinking age of 23.
- The directive follows a fatal drunk-driving accident in Nedumbassery where 19-year-old Suhail Sajeev, driving a Mini Cooper, reportedly visited three bars while intoxicated before ramming into a scooter carrying three students.
- "If they suspect that someone is below 23, they should check their Aadhaar card or other age-proof documents before serving them liquor," the minister said, warning that violators face license suspension.
- Excise Minister Liju has personally instructed the Excise Department to register a case regarding the fatal incident, with licenses of bars serving underage customers already suspended.
- Officials emphasized there will be no compromise on enforcing age restrictions to prevent intoxicated driving, requiring strict compliance from bar owners to protect public safety across Keralam.
Insights by Ground AI
10 Articles
10 Articles
Excise Minister M Liju makes it mandatory to check Aadhaar cards to verify the age of those buying liquor in Kerala
·Kottayam, India
Read Full Article
Age check is bar owners' responsibility, warns Kerala Excise Minister on underage drinking
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (IANS) Kerala Excise Minister, M. Liju, on Friday made it clear that verifying the age of customers before serving liquor is the responsibility of bar licence holders, warning that establishments found serving alcohol to those below the legal drinking age of 23 in the state would face stringent action, including cancellation of their licences. The minister directed bars across the state to check Aadhaa…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left, 40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 40%
C 20%
R 40%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
