Srinagar, July 22: In a major move to protect the integrity of Kashmir’s globally renowned handicraft and handloom sector, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has blacklisted and deregistered a craft dealer for selling a machine-made carpet as a GI-certified handmade Kashmiri product to a tourist for ₹2.55 lakh.
The action was taken against The Kashmir Art Bazaar, located in Konchipora, Tangmarg, after a detailed investigation revealed that the seller had used a fake QR label resembling the official GI tag issued by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) to falsely claim authenticity of the product.
The order, issued under Order No. 10-HD(QC) of 2025 dated 22.07.2025, invokes Sections 6 and 7 of the J&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978, citing fraud and misrepresentation.
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Tourist Defrauded with Fake Certification
The case surfaced after Syed Furqan Alam, a tourist, lodged a complaint with the Director IICT, stating that he had paid ₹25,000 in advance for a so-called hand-knotted carpet from the showroom, with the total cost amounting to ₹2.55 lakh. The seller had provided a QR code and certificate claiming IICT authentication.
However, upon verification, IICT confirmed that the QR label was forged and not issued by the institute. The complaint was escalated to the Quality Control Division of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, which promptly seized the carpet and issued a show-cause notice to the showroom proprietor.
Department Confirms Fraud, Orders Criminal Case
The seller initially denied the fraud, claiming the buyer backed out once informed the carpet wasn’t GI-certified. But the photographic evidence, combined with the expert analysis by IICT, confirmed the fake label had been pasted deliberately on a machine-made carpet to deceive the buyer.
Terming the act as a willful violation intended to exploit Kashmir’s heritage crafts for monetary gain, the Director ordered the blacklisting and deregistration of the showroom. A formal criminal case has also been ordered, with a request to probe the wider network potentially involved in the racket of faking GI tags.
Crackdown on Fake Kashmiri Handicrafts
A spokesperson from the department confirmed that a team has visited Tangmarg and completed the formal blacklisting process. The official also revealed that after the fraud was discovered, the seller even attempted to remove the fake QR label to cover up the malpractice.
“Such fraudulent acts not only violate consumer trust but also damage the credibility of Kashmir’s GI-certified crafts and threaten the livelihood of thousands of artisans,” the spokesperson said, warning other showroom owners to refrain from similar practices.
Buyers Urged to Verify Authenticity
The Directorate has urged tourists and buyers to report any suspected cases of machine-made products being passed off as handmade. Consumers can verify the authenticity of GI-certified products directly with the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir.
This crackdown marks a significant step in safeguarding the identity and reputation of Kashmir’s handmade carpet industry, which is globally valued for its artistry and heritage.
