Nimsdai’s response to allegations of sexual abuse – I will seek legal redress

KATHMANDU: Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai) has been accused of sexual misconduct.

Earlier, 35-year-old Lotta Hintsa, who is from Finland, alleged such misconduct in an interview with ‘The New York Times’.

It is claimed that Nirmal Purja attempted sexual contact by forcibly removing her clothes in a hotel in Kathmandu.

The allegation of misconduct dates back to a year ago when Purja was in Kathmandu in March 2023, according to the accuser.

However, Purja revealed such allegations for the first time in his published biography, ‘The Mountains of My Life 2’, last December.

While the book mentioned a well-known climber involved in misconduct, Purja’s name was disclosed. Additionally, in a news article published by The New York Times on May 31, Purja’s name was explicitly mentioned as the accused.

Purja has issued a warning seeking legal action against women who accuse him of sexual misconduct.

He claims that allegations against him, including those made by Lotta Hintsa, are false, and he is exploring legal options in response.

In his Instagram story under the handle ‘Nimsdai’, Purja posted that he had previously provided evidence that these allegations were unfounded. He also alleges that there were several factual inaccuracies in the news reports.

Expressing hope that the truth will eventually come out, he stated his readiness for legal action.