BIS officials raid jewellery shop in Vijayawada, seize fake hallmarking machine

Officials of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raided a jewellery showroom at Governorpeta in Vijayawada, and seized a fake hallmarking machine on Monday (July 13, 2026).

“The fake machine was being used to mark BIS hallmarks without any valid recognition,” said Director and head of BIS Vijayawada branch, Prem Sajani Patnala.

The team led by Joint Directors B. Rajagopal and Shanmukha Shiva Palli and Deputy Director Durgum Vivekvardhan, also seized a digital video recorder, a computer, and some gold ornaments bearing fake hallmarks, under BIS ACT, 2016.

“Action will be taken against the accused under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016. The accused may face up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of approximately ₹1 lakh,” the Director said in a release.

A case has been registered and further investigation is on, said hallmarking representatives B.D.N. Malleswara Rao and Putta Ajay Kumar.