Sushila Karki - Biography

Sushila Karki - Biography

Sushila Karki (born June 7, 1952) is a distinguished Nepali jurist, author, and politician who has carved her name in history as the first woman to serve as both the Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme Court and the Prime Minister of Nepal. Renowned for her unwavering integrity and commitment to the rule of law, her career is a testament to resilience against political pressure and a dedication to democratic principles.

Early Life and Education

Karki was born in Sankarpur (now part of Biratnagar) into a middle-class Chhetri family. As the eldest of seven children, she was encouraged to pursue education from an early age. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Mahendra Morang College, Tribhuvan University, in 1972.

Driven by academic ambition, she traveled to India, where she earned a Master's degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University in 1975. It was during her studies in Varanasi that she met her future husband, Durga Prasad Subedi, a political activist. Upon returning to Nepal, she pursued law, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Tribhuvan University in 1978.

Early Career and Political Activism

Karki began her legal practice in Biratnagar in 1979 while also venturing into academia as an assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan from 1986 to 1989. Her commitment to democracy was demonstrated during the 1990 People's Movement, where she participated in protests against the Panchayat regime and was subsequently imprisoned. This experience later inspired her novel, Kara.

She rose through the legal ranks, serving as the president of the Koshi Zonal Court Bar (1988-1990) and later as the president of the Biratnagar Appellate Court (2002-2004). In 2004, she was honored with the title of Senior Advocate by the Nepal Bar Association.

Historic Tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Karki's judicial career at the apex level began in January 2009 with her appointment as an ad hoc justice of the Supreme Court, which was made permanent in 2010. She quickly established a reputation for being strict and anti-corruption.

In a historic moment for Nepal, she was appointed as the Chief Justice in July 2016, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Her tenure was marked by landmark judgments that challenged political overreach, including the overturning of the government's appointment of Jaya Bahadur Chand as Chief of Nepal Police and the annulment of Lokman Singh Karki's appointment to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

This fearless approach led to a significant political backlash. In April 2017, members of parliament from the Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) filed an impeachment motion against her, automatically suspending her from duty. The move was widely criticized as politically motivated, with the United Nations and public figures expressing serious concerns over its implications for judicial independence. Following public pressure and a stay order from the Supreme Court, the motion was withdrawn. Karki retired on June 6, 2017, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Post-retirement, she authored her autobiography, Nyaya ("Justice"), detailing her legal career and advocating for an independent judiciary, and published her novel Kara.

Interim Prime Minister: A Response to a New Generation

In September 2025, Nepal was rocked by the "Gen Z-led" anti-corruption protests, which demanded an end to systemic graft and oligarchy. The protests forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign, creating a power vacuum.

Protest leaders, seeking a figure of unquestionable integrity and political neutrality, nominated Karki as their candidate for interim prime minister. Her selection was formalized through a large-scale poll on the online platform Discord and subsequently agreed upon in talks with the Nepalese army.

On September 12, 2025, President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed Karki as the Interim Prime Minister under Article 61 of the Constitution, simultaneously dissolving the Federal Parliament. Upon taking the oath, she became the first woman in Nepal's history to lead the government.

In her first address, she acknowledged the youth's demands for good governance and economic equality, stating, "We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation." She committed her interim government to a six-month mandate focused on restoring stability and preparing for snap elections scheduled for March 2026. Her cabinet appointments, which included reformist figures, were seen as a signal of her commitment to transparency and rebuilding public trust.

Personal Life

Sushila Karki is married to Durga Prasad Subedi, a former youth leader of the Nepali Congress who was involved in the 1973 Royal Nepal Airlines hijacking as an act of protest against the Panchayat system. The couple met while studying at Banaras Hindu University. They have at least one child together. In addition to her native Nepali, Karki is proficient in Hindi and English.

Legacy and Impact

Sushila Karki's journey from a young girl in Biratnagar to the highest echelons of Nepal's judiciary and executive is a powerful narrative of breaking barriers. She remains a symbol of courage, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of justice, serving as a role model for women and a steadfast guardian of democratic values in Nepal. Her leadership during a period of national crisis underscored her enduring reputation as a figure capable of steering the country toward a more equitable and transparent future.