Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), February 10 The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Tuesday seized a laser marking machine, gold ornaments, and electronic equipment from a hallmarking center here for allegedly printing counterfeit BIS hallmarks without proper authorization.
BIS said the seizure was made during a search operation conducted at a gold hallmarking center in Kurupam Market in Vizag, resulting in the recovery of a laser engraving machine, a digital video recorder, a computer, and gold articles bearing fake hallmarks.
"A laser engraving machine, along with gold ornaments and electronic devices, was seized from a hallmarking unit for allegedly printing fake BIS hallmarks without necessary authorization," stated an official press release.
During the operation, the equipment was found to be used for marking fake Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) numbers on ornaments, constituting a violation of the BIS Act, 2016, it said.
BIS stated that the offense carries imprisonment of up to one year or a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh on the first instance, which may extend up to five times the value of the goods involved.
The agency further stated that consumers can verify the authenticity of hallmarking using the BIS Care mobile application and report misuse of BIS marks through the app or directly to the Vijayawada branch office.
