KATHMANDU, AUGUST 2

A complaint has been lodged at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) seeking action against celebrated mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, for allegedly violating Tourism Act, evading taxes and defaming Sherpa community and Nepal's tourism sector.

According to a CIAA source, the registration number for the complaint lodged with the anti-graft body is C-005734.

The source said that the CIAA had already launched an investigation into the allegations against Purja as well as the authorities including the Department of Tourism, its line ministry and other concerned government agencies which failed to bar Purja from doing unethical activities.

The complaint reads that Purja misled the world by saying that when he was climbing the world's tallest peak, Sherpas cut the rope above 8000 meters to halt his expedition.

The complainant stated that despite repeated calls for action against Purja, the concerned agencies- Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Department of Tourism have failed to take action against Purja. Tourism entrepreneurs claimed that Purja attempted to bribe officials who were supposed to initiate action against him.

The complainant said that Purja who became a British citizen one year ago, continues to misuse his NRN card for expedition, evading huge amount of taxes. Purja reportedly collected a huge sum from his clients through his Elite Exped, an agency based in the United Kingdom. The complaint states that an investigation needs to be launched to know which peaks he scaled without seeking valid permission and how much tax Purja evaded by showing his NRN card.

It says that the New York Times news report on sexual misconduct allegation levelled against Purja had tarnished the image of Nepal's mountaineering section. The complaint also states that Nims Dai store at Marriot Hotel in Naxal sold goods for which tax had not been paid to the government. NYT article also claimed that Purja allegedly assaulted his foreign female client at the same hotel, breaching its 'harassment policy.'

The complaint states that Purja violated Section 38 of Tourism Act but no action has been taken against him. Section 38 of Tourism Act stipulates that if any member of the expedition team scales any Himalayan-peak or attempt to do so without obtaining permission or scales or attempt to do so of any Himalayan-peak which is not opened for mountaineering or commits any immoral conduct or behaviour whilst on mountaineering period, then the government may ban the member from entering into Nepal for a period up to Five years or ban for mountaineering in Nepal for a period up to Ten years. Purja reportedly lobbied with the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other influential people in the industry to escape from possible legal action.

A few days ago, Sherpa Tourism Entrepreneur Association of Nepal asked the government to take an immediate legal action against Purja for his alleged involvement in unethical mountaineering practices.

During a meeting at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the association stated that Nims tarnished Nepal's mountaineering industry's image by circulating a misleading video of rope slicing above the south summit on Mt Everest.

Purja faces accusation of holding illegal training for its climbers above the base camp, commandeering an unauthorized chopper flight to/from the Camp II and evading tax in the name of being non-resident Nepali (British Citizen).