BIS Raids Jewellery Outlet in Kathua, Seizes 53 Gold Articles Over Hallmarking Violations

September 10, 2026

Kathua: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office, conducted an enforcement search and seizure operation at a BIS-registered jewellery outlet in Dyalachak, Kathua, following information about suspected violations of mandatory hallmarking requirements.

During the operation, BIS officials examined gold jewellery displayed and offered for sale and seized 53 gold jewellery articles weighing a total of 162.22 grams for non-compliance with prescribed hallmarking requirements.

13 Gold Articles Found Without BIS Hallmark

According to BIS, 13 gold jewellery articles weighing 53.88 grams were found without the prescribed BIS Hallmark. Another 40 articles weighing 108.34 grams were found carrying incomplete or non-prescribed hallmarking.

These included articles bearing the BIS Hallmark logo and/or purity or fineness markings but without the prescribed HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) or complete hallmark.

BIS Warns Consumers to Verify HUID

BIS said consumers should not consider markings such as BIS logo, “916”, “22K916” or “18K750” alone as proof of valid BIS hallmarking.

Consumers have been advised to check the complete prescribed hallmark and verify the six-digit alphanumeric HUID using the “Verify HUID” feature on the BIS CARE App.

Seized Articles Sealed for Further Action

The seized jewellery articles were inventoried and sealed under Section 28 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. BIS said relevant evidence has been taken up for further examination and appropriate action will be initiated under the applicable provisions of the BIS Act, Rules, Regulations and Hallmarking Order.

BIS reiterated that registered jewellers are responsible for ensuring that gold jewellery and artefacts offered for sale comply with prescribed hallmarking requirements. It also clarified that registration of a jewellery outlet does not mean every article available there is necessarily BIS hallmarked.

The Bureau has appealed to consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing gold jewellery and report cases involving unhallmarked jewellery, incomplete hallmarking or suspected misuse of the BIS Hallmark through the BIS CARE App, or through the contact details provided by the bureau.