BIS Raids Four Jewellery Shops in Coimbatore; Seizes Gold Worth Rs. 3 Crore for Hallmark Violations

Coimbatore: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Coimbatore Branch Office, seized 2.085 kg of gold jewellery worth approximately Rs. 3 crore during enforcement raids at four jewellery shops in Coimbatore on November 4. The jewellery was found displayed for sale without the mandatory six-digit Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) number and was seized for suspected violations of the BIS Act, 2016.

The searches were conducted under Section 28 of the Act at KRT Jewellers and Anubhav Jewellers on Big Bazaar Street, Sree Vasavi Chains at Vasavi Arcade on Big Bazaar Street, and KK Chains & Jewels on Pavalam Street near Raja Street, all located in the Town Hall area. The operation followed credible information about the sale of gold jewellery without the prescribed hallmarking requirements.

As per the Central Government's notification issued on June 23, 2021, jewellery shops are required to ensure that gold jewellery is hallmarked before being offered for sale. A subsequent amendment notification dated March 3, 2023, further mandated that every piece of gold jewellery carry a valid, unique HUID mark from March 31, 2023.

Ramesh K, Director and Head of the BIS Coimbatore Branch Office, said legal action would be initiated against the establishments concerned. Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, violations are punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, a minimum fine of Rs. 1 lakh, which may extend to five times the value of the goods involved, or both.

Meanwhile, BIS has urged the public to report instances of gold jewellery being sold without a valid HUID. Complaints can be lodged with the BIS Coimbatore Branch Office, located on the third floor of the BSNL DTAX Building, Race Course, Coimbatore, through the BIS Care mobile application or by email. The bureau has assured that the identity of those providing information will be kept strictly confidential.