Officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Vijayawada branch, conducted an operation on Thursday at Karimulla Jewellers on Peddapudi Street in Guntur. During the operation, 1,286.28 grams of gold ornaments were seized due to being sold without valid hallmarking, a violation of the mandatory provisions under the BIS Act, 2016. A laser-marking machine, reportedly used in contravention of the Act, was also confiscated.
BIS Director Prem Sajani Patnala stated that a case would be registered under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, which carries penalties including imprisonment up to one year and a fine of at least ₹1 lakh, potentially extending to five times the value of the seized goods. The BIS also issued an advisory, urging consumers to verify the BIS logo, hallmarking, and purity of jewelry before purchase, noting that authenticity can be checked via the BIS Care mobile app. Public complaints can be submitted through the app or by email.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/12862-gms-of-jewellery-without-valid-hallmarking-seized-from-shop-in-guntur/article70249084.ece