Sushila Karki

Sushila Karki is a prominent and historic figure in Nepal’s judiciary and politics, best known for being the first woman to serve as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal. Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, she pursued higher education in Nepal and India, completing her Master’s in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University and later earning a law degree from Tribhuvan University. Karki began her legal career as an advocate in 1979 and became actively involved in the 1990 People’s Movement against the Panchayat regime, even facing imprisonment during that time. Her dedication to justice and democracy earned her respect, eventually leading to her appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2009, and her rise to Chief Justice in July 2016.

During her tenure as Chief Justice, Sushila Karki earned a reputation for being bold, independent, and unafraid to challenge powerful political figures. She delivered several landmark rulings, including convictions of sitting ministers on corruption charges, and invalidated controversial government decisions—such as the illegal appointment of a police chief. Her unwavering commitment to the rule of law, however, brought her into conflict with political elites. In April 2017, an impeachment motion was filed against her by members of the ruling coalition, accusing her of bias. The motion was widely criticized as politically motivated and an attack on judicial independence. Following public outcry and legal pushback, the motion was eventually withdrawn. She retired from the Supreme Court shortly after, in June 2017.

Post-retirement, Karki remained an influential public figure. She authored an autobiography titled Nyaya (“Justice”), which reflects on her judicial journey and the challenges she faced in upholding the rule of law. In 2025, amidst political unrest and youth-led protests against corruption and authoritarian policies, Sushila Karki was appointed as Nepal’s first-ever female Prime Minister, leading an interim government tasked with overseeing elections. Her appointment marked a historic moment, not only for gender equality but also for the role of independent figures in Nepali politics. Sushila Karki is widely admired for her integrity, courage, and dedication to democratic values, symbolizing hope for justice and accountability in Nepal’s governance.