From Chief Justice to Prime Minister
Sushila Karki is Nepal’s first female Chief Justice. In 2025, she became interim Prime Minister after mass protests. Those protests were led by Gen Z youth demanding an end to corruption. She is the first woman to lead the country. Karki’s reputation for honesty and her strict stand against graft made her a popular choice for protesters.
Early Life and Education
Sushila Karki was born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, eastern Nepal. She earned a BA at Tribhuvan University’s Mahendra Morang College (1971) and an MA in political science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1975. She then received an LL.B. from Tribhuvan University in 1978. After her studies, Karki practiced law in Biratnagar and briefly taught at a college in Dharan in 1985. These early experiences helped her build a strong foundation in law and governance.
Rise in Nepal’s Judiciary
Karki entered Nepal’s judiciary in 2009 when she was appointed an ad hoc justice of the Supreme Court. She became a permanent Supreme Court judge in 2010. Over the next seven years, she took on high-profile corruption cases. In July 2016, she was appointed Chief Justice of Nepal. This made her the first woman ever to lead Nepal’s Supreme Court. As a judge and later as Chief Justice, Karki was known for her strict, no-nonsense approach to corruption.
Key Milestones in Sushila Karki’s Career:
- 1985: Served as an assistant college teacher in Dharan while beginning her law practice.
- 2009: Appointed an ad hoc justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal.
- 2016: Became Nepal’s Chief Justice, the first woman to hold that post.
- April 2017: Faced an impeachment attempt after a high court ruling; public protests helped get the motion dropped.
- 2018-2019: Retired from the judiciary and authored two books – the memoir Nyaya (Justice) and the novel Kara (Prison).
- Sept 2025: Sworn in as interim Prime Minister of Nepal, the first woman to hold that office.
Chief Justice Tenure and Controversy
As Chief Justice (2016–2017), Karki took on several landmark cases. She presided over the conviction of a government minister for corruption, a rare feat that won her praise. Senior advocates noted that she was “very honest” and “not corrupt” in fighting graft. However, her harsh rulings upset some political figures. In April 2017, members of the ruling party accused her of bias after a court overturned the appointment of a police chief. They filed impeachment motions to remove her. This led to Karki’s suspension. Massive public outcry in defence of the courts followed. The Supreme Court halted the impeachment, and the charges were soon dropped. Karki finished her term and retired in June 2017, having cemented her image as an anti-corruption crusader.
Becoming Prime Minister after Protests
In September 2025, Nepal saw violent mass protests by young people (dubbed the “Gen Z” movement) against government corruption. Protesters demanded a non-partisan leader to run an interim government. By consensus of the president, the army chief, and protest representatives, Sushila Karki was chosen. She took the oath as interim Prime Minister on Sept 12, 2025. She will lead until the new elections, scheduled by March 2026. The decision was reportedly even made via a Discord poll among protesters, who believed she could restore trust. Karki is Nepal’s first female head of government.
Observers say Karki’s honesty and fearlessness made her the protesters’ top choice. Her non-partisan reputation and strong anti-corruption record are seen as assets in helping to heal Nepal’s political crisis. As interim Prime Minister, Karki’s challenges include restoring law and order and preparing for fair elections. Her long legal career and reputation for integrity give her a unique profile to meet these challenges in Nepal’s troubled time.
