Srinagar, July 23 -- In a major crackdown on fraudulent trade practices threatening the integrity of Kashmir's renowned handicraft industry, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has blacklisted and deregistered The Kashmir Art Bazaar, located in Konchipora, Tangmarg, for selling a machine-made carpet as a hand-knotted GI-certified Kashmiri product.As per Order No. 10-HD(QC) of 2025 dated July 22, 2025, the showroom sold a carpet for Rs.2.55 lakh to a tourist, falsely claiming it was certified by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT). A forged QR code resembling an official GI certification label was used to mislead the buyer.A criminal complaint has been ordered under the Geographical Indications (GI) Act and B...