Indian couple banned from climbing after faking Everest ascent

Nepal has imposed a 10-year mountaineering ban on two climbers who claimed to be the first Indian couple to have climbed Everest.

A full investigation was carried out when fellow climbers claimed that photos showing Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod, both aged 30, at the summit were doctored.

See also: Nepal investigates couple's Everest summit claim

See also: Chaos on Everest as four climbers dies and 30 hit with altitude sickness

The government investigation concluded on Monday that the pictures were indeed faked, and the ban was imposed.

Tourism department chief Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal said after full analysis it was decided the photos submitted by the pair were of them and their banners superimposed on pictures taken by another Indian climber who had conquered Everest.

Indeed, according to the Guardian, it was mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta, from West Bengal (pictured top holding his own picture and Dinesh's), who complained the couple had used doctored versions of photographs from his successful ascent of the world's highest mountain two days earlier.

Nepal's tourism department initially certified the couple's ascent but have now rescinded that decision.

According to the BBC, Mr Dhakal said: "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.

"The ban should serve as a warning for mountaineers to follow ethics."


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