Pune Couple’s Claim of Scaling Everest Being Probed

A mountaineering group has complained that the couple has morphed their images on Mount Everest.

File photo of the area surrounding Mount Everest. (Photo: Reuters)

Days after a Pune-based couple claimed to have successfully scaled Mount Everest, a probe has been ordered to verify their claims after a group of mountaineers approached Pune Police alleging that the two have faked their expedition.

The mountaineers’ group claimed that Tarakeshwari and Dinesh Rathod morphed photographs at the peak, a senior police official said on Thursday.

The couple, who serve as constables in Pune Police, had claimed on 5 June that they became the first Indian couple to scale the Everest on 23 May.

Based on a complaint from some mountaineering organisations, an inquiry has been ordered, and till date the couple has not reported to duty.

Rashmi Shukla, Pune Police Commissioner

Asked whether the police will get in touch with Nepalese authorities to verify the couple’s claims, she only said that a probe has been ordered and refused to elaborate.

Surendra Shelke, one of the complainants and secretary of a city-based mountaineering association, had alleged that the couple had morphed pictures.

Shelke also claimed there was several discrepancies in their version.

If you see the individual photos of Dinesh, he is wearing a red and black down jacket at the summit and in the couple photo at the top, both are wearing orange down jacket and yellow and black shoes. It is next to impossible to change clothes and boots mid-climb as there is a danger of frostbite and we are cent percent sure that photographs were taken either at a base camp or at a studio and later it was meticulously morphed or cropped.

He added that when enquired, the mountaineers who were at the expedition between 19 May and 24 May, did not see the couple beyond any of the base camps.

Shelke further said they have nothing personal against the couple. However, if the issue is not brought to light, young aspirants will get a wrong message.

Constable Dinesh Rathod said that they have submitted all the certificates received from the Nepal government upon completion of the climb, along with other proofs, to the investigating officer of Pune Police.

Since, the matter is under probe, I would not like to comment on the issue. However, I am sure that the truth will come out. We have sought action against these people who are trying to defame us by lodging such baseless complaints with the department.

He also said he along with his wife had already sent a complaint to Pune Police alleging that the group of mountaineers is defaming them.

While clarifying on not reporting to the job, he said that they have given a leave application to the department.

(With PTI inputs.)