New Delhi, April 15: A Delhi court has convicted a Jaipur-based art gallery owner in a long-running case involving the attempted export of Shahtoosh shawls, a banned wildlife product, raising concerns among stakeholders about the implications for the handicrafts trade and regulatory scrutiny.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate at Rouse Avenue District Courts in New Delhi on March 12, 2026, found S. A Kashani, proprietor of M/s Indian Art Gallery, Jaipur, guilty under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The case dates back to December 2008, when authorities intercepted a consignment at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Shahtoosh shawls are made from the hair of the Tibetan Antelope, a species protected under Schedule I of Indian wildlife law. International trade in Shahtoosh has been banned since 1975 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which India is a signatory.
According to officials, the consignment contained 1,290 shawls, initially declared as Pashmina. However, inspection by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) raised suspicions about the presence of Shahtoosh fibre. Subsequent forensic analysis by the Wildlife Institute of India confirmed that 41 of the seized shawls contained hair from the Tibetan antelope.
The investigation involved multiple agencies over nearly 17 years, including the WCCB, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Customs authorities, and the Wildlife Institute of India. Officials said the case marked one of the earliest instances of a wildlife offence being prosecuted through the CBI following a complaint by the WCCB.
During the trial, the accused maintained that he had purchased machine-made Pashmina shawls from a Delhi-based supplier and denied any involvement in illegal trade. The defence also challenged the methods of inspection, forensic testing, and handling of evidence. The court, however, upheld the forensic findings and rejected the defence arguments.
Kashani has been sentenced to three years of simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Additional concurrent sentences of two years each were awarded under other sections of the law. The seized shawls have been ordered to be confiscated as government property.
The case has drawn attention in Kashmir’s handicrafts sector, where artisans and traders have long expressed concerns about the reputational impact of Shahtoosh-related cases on the legitimate Pashmina industry. Industry stakeholders have previously emphasised the need for clearer differentiation between legally produced Pashmina and prohibited Shahtoosh products, as well as more robust certification mechanisms to prevent inadvertent regulatory violations.
Officials reiterated that exports of Pashmina require certification and clearance from designated wildlife authorities, and stressed the importance of compliance with existing laws governing wildlife protection and trade.
