‘Time to lower juvenile age to 16’: Kerala HC flags changing maturity levels

Present trend showa sufficient maturity by children when they reach the age of 16: Kerala HC

NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court has suggested that the legal age threshold for juveniles be reduced from 18 to 16, saying children today show sufficient maturity by the age of 16.The observation was made by Justice A Bhadarudeen during a hearing on a petition seeking stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale and serving of liquor to people below 23 years of age, news agency PTI reported.Filed by Kollam resident Vinod Vikram, the petition cited the recent Nedumbassery accident in which an 18-year-old, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, rammed his Mini Cooper into a scooter, killing three people.“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.

Share your thoughts in the comments

<button type="button" class="ZW6JD " disabled="">Post Comment</button></p> <p class="swnca">Be respectful · TOI community guidelines</p> </div> </div> <p>This aspect is also to be appropriately addressed,” the court said in its interim order.<span class="id-r-component br" data-pos="13"/><span class="strong" data-ua-type="1" onclick="stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)">Excise commissioner</span><span class="strong" data-ua-type="1" onclick="stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)"> asked to submit report</span><span class="id-r-component br" data-pos="16"/>The court directed the Excise Commissioner to submit details of the steps taken to implement provisions of the Kerala Abkari Act. It also sought suggestions on how enforcement could be strengthened to protect the public.<span class="id-r-component br" data-pos="19"/>The matter will be heard again on November 24.</div> </div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta" aria-label="Entry meta"> <span class="cat-links"><span class="gp-icon icon-categories"><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em"><path d="M0 112c0-26.51 21.49-48 48-48h110.014a48 48 0 0143.592 27.907l12.349 26.791A16 16 0 00228.486 128H464c26.51 0 48 21.49 48 48v224c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48H48c-26.51 0-48-21.49-48-48V112z" /></svg></span><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://fastkhabar.co.in/category/general-news/" rel="category tag">General News</a></span> <nav id="nav-below" class="post-navigation" aria-label="Posts"> <div class="nav-previous"><span class="gp-icon icon-arrow-left"><svg viewBox="0 0 192 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-miterlimit="1.414"><path d="M178.425 138.212c0 2.265-1.133 4.813-2.832 6.512L64.276 256.001l111.317 111.277c1.7 1.7 2.832 4.247 2.832 6.513 0 2.265-1.133 4.813-2.832 6.512L161.43 394.46c-1.7 1.7-4.249 2.832-6.514 2.832-2.266 0-4.816-1.133-6.515-2.832L16.407 262.514c-1.699-1.7-2.832-4.248-2.832-6.513 0-2.265 1.133-4.813 2.832-6.512l131.994-131.947c1.7-1.699 4.249-2.831 6.515-2.831 2.265 0 4.815 1.132 6.514 2.831l14.163 14.157c1.7 1.7 2.832 3.965 2.832 6.513z" fill-rule="nonzero" /></svg></span><span class="prev"><a href="https://fastkhabar.co.in/who-is-ramola-bachchan-meet-the-fashion-designer-entrepreneur-and-ex-tv-presenter-at-the-centre-of-the-jalsa-ownership-dispute-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchan-hindi-movie-news/" rel="prev">Who is Ramola Bachchan? Meet the fashion designer, entrepreneur and ex-TV presenter at the centre of the Jalsa ownership dispute with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan | Hindi Movie News</a></span></div><div class="nav-next"><span class="gp-icon icon-arrow-right"><svg viewBox="0 0 192 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-miterlimit="1.414"><path d="M178.425 256.001c0 2.266-1.133 4.815-2.832 6.515L43.599 394.509c-1.7 1.7-4.248 2.833-6.514 2.833s-4.816-1.133-6.515-2.833l-14.163-14.162c-1.699-1.7-2.832-3.966-2.832-6.515 0-2.266 1.133-4.815 2.832-6.515l111.317-111.316L16.407 144.685c-1.699-1.7-2.832-4.249-2.832-6.515s1.133-4.815 2.832-6.515l14.163-14.162c1.7-1.7 4.249-2.833 6.515-2.833s4.815 1.133 6.514 2.833l131.994 131.993c1.7 1.7 2.832 4.249 2.832 6.515z" fill-rule="nonzero" /></svg></span><span class="next"><a href="https://fastkhabar.co.in/leo-weekly-horoscope-november-15-to-november-21-2026-make-confident-progress-and-welcome-support-while-keeping-plans-private-and-avoiding-unnecessary-conflicts/" rel="next">Leo, Weekly Horoscope, November 15 to November 21, 2026: Make confident progress and welcome support while keeping plans private and avoiding unnecessary conflicts</a></span></div> </nav> </footer> </div> </article> <div class="comments-area"> <div id="comments"> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Comment <small><a rel="nofollow" id="cancel-comment-reply-link" href="/time-to-lower-juvenile-age-to-16-kerala-hc-flags-changing-maturity-levels-india-news/#respond" style="display:none;">Cancel reply</a></small></h3><form action="https://fastkhabar.co.in/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform" class="comment-form"><p class="comment-form-comment"><label for="comment" class="screen-reader-text">Comment</label><textarea id="comment" name="comment" cols="45" rows="8" required>