KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has grounded a pilot after Prabhu Helicopter conducted a flight to Camp 2 of Mount Everest without permission.

Following the incident, which occurred on Monday, CAAN has imposed stricter regulations on all Prabhu Helicopter flights.

According to CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul, the helicopter reached Camp 2 of Everest Base Camp on Monday morning for a rescue operation involving Nirmal Purja’s foreign team.

However, despite being allowed for rescue flights, the helicopter did not obtain the necessary authorization, leading to heightened scrutiny of all Prabhu Helicopter flights.

Until further notice, Prabhu Helicopter is restricted from conducting any cargo or passenger flights, except for rescue operations.

CAAN has demanded an explanation from Prabhu Helicopter and decided to ground the captain, who piloted the unauthorized flight with Nirmal Purja.

The division bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Sushmalata Mathema, on April 26, issued a writ of mandamus, enforcing the ban on non-emergency helicopter flights on Mount Everest.