KATHMANDU: Sushila Karki has carved her place in Nepal’s history twice over. She first broke barriers in 2016 by becoming the country’s first female Chief Justice, earning a reputation for her uncompromising integrity and bold rulings against entrenched political interests. Nearly a decade later, she has now taken on an even more daunting challenge—becoming Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister.

Her appointment comes at a time of deep national turmoil. Gen Z–led protests, fueled by anger over corruption, political privilege, inherited wealth, and social media restrictions, forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step aside. In a dramatic turn, the young protest leaders put forward Karki’s name as their choice to head an interim government.

The Nepal Army, which has positioned itself as a dominant force amid the uncertainty, facilitated her appointment. Unlike traditional power transitions, Karki’s rise to the premiership came with little fanfare—just a sense of urgency, a couple of days of tense debate, and quiet relief among her supporters.

To many, her leadership represents not only a generational break from the old guard but also a symbolic victory for accountability and reform in a country long dominated by male political elites.

A politically charged beginning

Sushila Karki was born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Morang, a city known for its political and commercial significance. Her upbringing was steeped in political consciousness, as her family maintained close ties with the influential Koirala dynasty of the Nepali Congress.

From a young age, she was exposed to debates on democracy, governance, and justice, shaping her understanding of civic duty and political responsibility.

While her parents initially envisioned a medical career for her, Karki defied convention by choosing law, a field dominated by men at the time. This decision reflected not only her determination but also an early commitment to addressing issues of justice and governance.

Her academic trajectory was both distinguished and formative. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Mahendra Morang Campus in 1972, followed by a Master’s degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1975.

During her years at BHU, Karki spent evenings on riverbank terraces by the Ganga, reflecting on political systems and civic responsibility.

The friendships she forged during this period deeply influenced her worldview, and it was also here that she met her future husband, democratic activist Durga Prasad Subedi.

Returning to Nepal, she earned a law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978. Between 1985 and 1989, Karki taught law and political science at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan, gaining both practical experience and intellectual grounding that would prepare her for a historic career in the judiciary.

From advocate to Supreme Court judge

Karki began practicing law in 1978, quickly earning a reputation as a principled and capable advocate. Her commitment to fairness and meticulous preparation distinguished her in Nepal’s legal fraternity.

She assumed leadership roles early, chairing the Bar Association at the Appellate Court in Biratnagar, where she became a prominent figure in legal discourse. In 2007, she was recognized as a senior advocate, further solidifying her professional stature.

Her ascent continued when she was appointed an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court in 2009 and became a permanent judge in 2010. Each milestone reflected her legal acumen, diligence, and unwavering adherence to principle.

This path culminated in her historic appointment as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice on July 11, 2016. Though her tenure lasted just under a year, until June 7, 2017, it left a transformative impact on the judiciary, elevating expectations of independence, integrity, and courage.

A fearless judicial crusade

Karki became nationally renowned for her uncompromising stance against corruption. During her tenure, she issued landmark judgments that challenged powerful figures, demonstrating that no official is beyond accountability.

Among her most notable actions were convicting J.P. Gupta, then-Minister of Communications, and removing Lokman Singh Karki from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. These decisions were highly controversial, drawing political backlash from entrenched interests, yet Karki remained steadfast.

Her rulings reinforced the principle of judicial independence, inspiring young lawyers and civil servants to prioritize integrity over political expediency.

In a system frequently undermined by interference and compromise, Karki emerged as a beacon of ethical leadership.

Facing political backlash

Karki’s anti-corruption drive inevitably provoked opposition. In 2017, the then ruling coalition, comprising the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Center, filed an impeachment motion against her, citing alleged bias and controversial rulings.

She was temporarily suspended, marking a critical moment in Nepal’s democracy. The Supreme Court intervened through Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana, issuing an interim order that invalidated the impeachment and allowed Karki to resume her duties.

The then opposition parties like the CPN-UML publicly opposed the motion, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence. While critics questioned her impartiality in certain cases, her supporters praised her unwavering defense of the law and principled governance, cementing her status as a symbol of resilience in the face of political pressure.

A voice for constitutional integrity

Throughout her career, Karki consistently championed constitutional propriety and the separation of powers.

In 2013, she dissented against a Supreme Court decision that validated then-Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi’s appointment as Interim Council Chairman, arguing that it violated the constitution and disrupted the balance of power.

Her dissent highlighted a principled approach to governance, emphasizing that democracy depends on adherence to legal frameworks.

Today, this philosophy informs her role as interim Prime Minister, even as some critics point to the apparent irony of a former Chief Justice assuming executive authority.

Supporters argue that her retirement from the judiciary, combined with the extraordinary political circumstances, legitimizes her temporary executive role.

Gen-Z’s political experiment

Following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, Nepal entered a period of extraordinary political unrest, fueled by protests led by Gen-Z demanding transparency, accountability, and reform.

In this context, Karki emerged as the Gen-Z movement’s preferred candidate for interim Prime Minister, selected through a virtual youth voting process.

Other candidates, such as Nepal Electricity Authority’s former Executive Director Kulman Ghising and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, were considered, but Karki’s reputation for fairness, balance, and integrity won the movement’s trust.

She inherits a nation in crisis, with dysfunctional institutions, low police morale, and damage to key government buildings, including Singha Durbar, Parliament, and the presidential palace.

The enormity of the responsibility underscores both the urgency of her role and the high expectations placed on her by politically conscious youth.

Diplomacy and regional relations

As interim leader, Karki faces the delicate task of managing Nepal’s foreign relations, particularly with India. She has expressed admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing historical, cultural, and familial ties between the two nations while reassuring the safety of Indian citizens.

Her pragmatic approach reflects the necessity of diplomacy in a complex regional environment. However, Nepali politics is highly sensitive to perceptions of external influence, and positive references to India can provoke nationalist criticism.

Karki must navigate this terrain carefully, balancing diplomacy with domestic political realities.

Challenges on the domestic front

The domestic challenges confronting Karki are immense. She must rebuild administrative capacity weakened by years of political instability, restore law and order in regions affected by protests, and oversee credible national elections.

Additionally, she must tackle the daunting task of holding those responsible for the Gen-Z protest violence accountable, thoroughly investigating major corruption scandals dating back to 1990, overseeing relief and recovery in regions hit by monsoon disasters, and managing these efforts while sustaining public trust and confidence.

Her leadership will be evaluated on her ability to manage fractured institutions, implement effective governance, and maintain legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

Each decision she makes will be scrutinized, as the nation looks to her to stabilize governance and restore institutional functionality.

Public perception and legacy

Sushila Karki’s public image is rooted in courage, resilience, and principled leadership. From her early days as a pioneering law student to becoming Nepal’s first female Chief Justice and now stepping into the role of interim Prime Minister, she embodies accountability, integrity, and reformist zeal.

Her journey mirrors the evolution of Nepali governance, reflecting a society striving to consolidate democracy while confronting institutional fragility and social expectations.

For many, her interim premiership is more than a symbolic gesture—it represents the hope that principled leadership can guide the country through political turmoil and administrative dysfunction.

 A historical turning point

Karki’s appointment as interim Prime Minister marks a historic moment in Nepali politics. It underscores a generational shift, with youth movements such as Gen-Z asserting influence over governance decisions.

Her tenure could redefine public expectations of leadership, emphasizing ethics, accountability, and adherence to constitutional principles.

Her story is one of breaking barriers, challenging entrenched power structures, and championing reform, qualities that will shape both her legacy and the trajectory of Nepali democracy.

A nation’s hope resting on judicial rigor

Sushila Karki’s career is a testament to determination, principle, and service. Rising from a politically aware household in Biratnagar to the pinnacle of Nepal’s judiciary as the first female Chief Justice, she became a symbol of anti-corruption vigilance.

Now, as interim Prime Minister, she faces the monumental task of stabilizing institutions, restoring public confidence, managing diplomacy, and ensuring credible governance.

Her leadership is closely watched not only as a measure of her capabilities but also as a reflection of Nepal’s capacity to combine principled leadership with effective executive governance.

For a generation seeking accountability and reform, her tenure represents hope that integrity, courage, and discipline can guide the nation through its most turbulent times.