12 July,2016 08:41 AM IST | | Anusha Subramanian
Dinesh Rathod and his wife Tarkeshwari Rathod will have to give back their 'Everest' accolades. The first recommendation for revoking the summit certificates of the couple is finally expected to be initiated today
The Pune constable couple, Dinesh Rathod and his wife Tarkeshwari Rathod will soon be stripped off of their claim of conquering the Mount Everest summit. The first recommendation for revoking the summit certificates of the couple is finally expected to be initiated today.
Also Read: Nepal confirms Pune couple morphed pictures
Dinesh Rathod and Tarkeshwari Rathod have been accused by mountaineers of faking their summit to Mount Everest and morphing pictures of the same. File pic
This decision comes in response to a letter sent by Nepal's Department of Tourism (DoT) last week asking the ministry to cancel summit certificates of the constable couple. The ministry finally decided to authorise the DoT Director General to cancel their certificates as per the existing Tourism Act and the Mountaineering Regulation.
Communication sent
Speaking to mid-day from Nepal, Ghanashyam Updhyay, joint secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, who is also a member of the committee investigating the Rathods' claims of reaching the Mount Everest summit said, "We got the recommendation from the DoT to cancel certificates and the tourism minister has ordered Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal, director general of DoT to do the needful. An official communication from the ministry has been sent across today [Monday] to the DoT asking for the Rathod couple's summit certificate to be cancelled," Upadhyay added.
Read Story: Probe ordered into Pune couple's Everest record
When mid-day spoke to Dhakal, he said, "I am still awaiting the official communication from the ministry before acting upon it." It is understood from DoT that the certificates could be revoked today. It is also understood from the Ministry officials that a committee has been instituted to investigate the larger role of people involved in this whole case. The process of investigation will take 15 days and thereafter, further action on the couple will be initiated.
Also Read: Pune constable couple morphed my Everest pictures: Bengaluru climber
As per Nepal's Tourism Act, the couple may be banned from entering into Nepal for a period up to five years or for mountaineering in Nepal for a period up to 10 years. However, Upadhyay said it is not an easy process and they will involve the Indian Embassy for any further action on the couple.
