Famous climber Nirmal Purja faces sexual harassment allegations – myRepublica

KATHMANDU, June 1: Record-breaking climber Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nimsdai, has been accused of sexual harassment by two female climbers.

The allegations were reported Friday by The New York Times. One of the women, former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa, claimed that Purja made unwanted sexual advances towards her, including kissing her and touching her private parts, during a meeting in Kathmandu on March 30, 2023 .

According to the report, Purja invited Hintsa to her hotel suite at the Kathmandu Marriott to discuss collaborating on an expedition she was organizing. Hintsa alleged that during the meeting, Purja led her to bed and started undressing despite her refusals. “I was frozen and confused as he led me to bed. I refused and continued to say no as he began to remove my clothes. I felt like I was having an experience outside of the body”, the New York Times quotes her. as told.

Hintsa had previously mentioned a shocking incident involving a “very famous climber” in a memoir published in December, but had not yet named the individual. She has now identified Purja as the person in question.

Hintsa, a professional mountaineer herself, mentioned that Purja's status as a former British serviceman and influential figure made her hesitant to show agitation in front of him.

Purja declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by The New York Times. However, his lawyer, Philip Kelly, released a written statement denying the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.”

In addition to Hintsa's accusations, California-based Dr. April Leonardo also claimed that Purja repeatedly kissed her without her consent. She claimed that the incident happened while Purja was guiding her to climb Mount K2, the second highest peak in the world. Purja's lawyer also denied her allegations.

Nirmal Purja is well known for helping mountaineers scale mountains through his guiding company, Elite Expeditions. Her clients include high-profile figures such as Qatari royal family member Asma Al Thani and Russian model Victoria Bonya.