Sushila Karki: From Nepal’s First Female Chief Justice to Potential Interim Prime Minister

A Historic Moment in Nepal’s Political Landscape

Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has emerged as the leading choice to head the country’s transitional government following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation. This decision came after over 5,000 young people participated in a virtual meeting to discuss the nation’s next leader.

The selection process was notably modern, with Gen-Z protesters organizing a Zoom meeting to draft their agenda. Participants used anime avatars or blank display pictures, reflecting the youth-driven nature of the movement that has challenged Nepal’s established political system.

A Legacy of Justice and Integrity

Karki stands as a pivotal figure in Nepal’s legal and political landscape, having made history as the nation’s first—and to date, only—female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Her appointment in 2016 broke gender barriers in one of South Asia’s most traditional judiciaries. Her journey from a modest farming family in eastern Nepal to the pinnacle of judicial authority exemplifies resilience and intellectual rigor.

She is best remembered for her unwavering stance against corruption, notably delivering a landmark verdict that convicted serving minister Jaya Prakash Gupta on graft charges. Her bench also handled crucial cases involving peacekeeping deployments, large-scale projects, and delivered groundbreaking rulings that granted Nepali women the right to pass citizenship to their children.

The Path Forward

When initially approached with the proposal to lead, Karki set a high bar—requesting at least 1,000 written signatures to demonstrate public support. Sources indicate she has far exceeded that threshold, gathering over 2,500 signatures.

If approved, Karki, at 73, would make history again as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister. While Nepal has previously had a female President in Bidya Devi Bhandari, that role was largely ceremonial within the country’s parliamentary system.

Karki’s potential return to public service represents more than a political appointment – it symbolizes a narrative of quiet defiance against odds. As Nepal stands at a crossroads in 2025, her leadership potential demonstrates that true leaders are defined by their convictions rather than circumstances.