Kathmandu: Nirmal Purja, Nepali mountaineer of global repute, has courted yet another controversy. He faces charges of spreading misinformation about the Everest Expedition by Department of Tourism, which said, it is investigating the case.
On May 26, Purja posted a statement on social media claiming that ropes between Balcony and South Col of Everest were snapped and that the dead body management team of the expedition company returned without accomplishing the task.
“Even after climber Purja claimed the snapping of ropes, a team of climbers from Pioneer Adventures Pvt Ltd stood atop Everest at 12:45 am today and the rope was intact,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement released on Monday to counter Purja’s ‘lies.’
“We want to inform all stakeholders concerned that there is no problem at all in rope fixing and Everest expedition for the spring season has come to an end,” the government body further said, adding that “a legal investigation will be processed against Nirmal Purja and other persons for dissemination misinformation.”
Purja came to global limelight after climbing all of 14 above 8000 meters peaks, including Everest, within the fastest times.
Purja faces several cases of controversies, including fake citizenship certificate, fake marriage, dual passport, among others. Ukeraa.com, a Nepali language online newspaper, has done a series of investigative reporting on his alleged involvement in different controversial cases.
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