KATHMANDU: Renowned mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja is the target of a complaint that has been submitted to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). The accusations include tax evasion, breaking the Tourism Act of Nepal, and spreading false information about the Sherpa people and the nation's tourism industry. The case, with registration number C-005734, charges Purja with deceiving the public by asserting that Sherpas severed the rope on Mount Everest above 8,000 meters in order to obstruct his ascent. Purja and pertinent authorities, such as the Department of Tourism and its overseeing ministry, are already the subject of a CIAA investigation into Purja's alleged unethical actions.
The complainant highlights that despite repeated requests, no action has been taken against Purja by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, or the Department of Tourism. Tourism entrepreneurs allege that Purja tried to bribe officials to avoid consequences for his actions. It is claimed that Purja, who became a British citizen a year ago, has been misusing his Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card to avoid taxes on earnings from his UK-based company, Elite Exped. The complaint calls for an investigation into the peaks Purja climbed without proper permits and the amount of tax he may have evaded using his NRN card.
Further allegations include Purja damaging Nepal's mountaineering reputation through a New York Times article reporting a sexual misconduct allegation against him. The complaint mentions that his Nims Dai store at the Marriot Hotel in Naxal sold goods without paying taxes. Additionally, the NYT article accused Purja of assaulting a foreign client at the same hotel, violating its harassment policy. The complaint asserts that Purja breached Section 38 of the Tourism Act, which can lead to bans on entering or climbing in Nepal, but no action has been taken.
The Sherpa Tourism Entrepreneur Association of Nepal recently urged the government to take legal action against Purja for unethical mountaineering practices. During a meeting with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the association accused Purja of tarnishing Nepal's mountaineering industry by sharing a misleading video about rope slicing on Mount Everest. They claim Purja's actions have harmed the country's tourism image and called for accountability.
The complaint also alleges that Purja conducted illegal training for climbers above the base camp, arranged unauthorized helicopter flights to and from Camp II, and avoided taxes by exploiting his status as a British citizen and NRN. It is also suggested that Purja lobbied with former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other influential figures to escape legal consequences. These allegations, combined with the recent calls for action from the Sherpa community, have intensified scrutiny of Purja's activities and his impact on Nepal's tourism sector.
