Aug 31 (NIA) – An Indian couple have been banned from climbing any mountain in Nepal for 10 years after officials said the pair ‘faked’ an Everest climb.
A government investigation concluded earlier this week said that the two Indian police constables, Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod, doctored images of themselves at the summit of the world’s highest mountain.
The pair’s claims to have reached the peak of Mount Everest in May were queried by climbers.
They argued that photos showing Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod at the summit were obviously doctored.
Tourism Department official Gyanendra Shrestha said the Nepal government had revoked the couple’s climbing certificate and they will not be allowed to do any climbing activity in Nepal for 10 years.
“Despite several attempts to get clarifications from them, they did not co-operate with us during the investigation. The two Sherpas that assisted them are also absconding,” officials said.
“The ban should serve as a warning for mountaineers to follow ethics.”
The couple, who work as constables in the western Indian city of Pune, in July denied the claims, as did the guides who climbed with them.
The Rathods told a press conference on June 5, that they had supposedly reached the summit. At that conference Dinesh Rathod said: “We were committed that we would not give birth to a child until we climb Everest,“ before adding, ”With pride now, we want to become parents.“
The couple have always maintained that they did reach the summit, as have the guides who climbed with them
The BBC reported that more than 450 people, including more than 250 foreigners, climbed Everest during the recently-concluded spring season.
It followed two consecutive years of poor weather – made worse by the Nepal earthquake of 2015 – which resulted in almost all Everest attempts being abandoned.
