Sushila Karki: Introduction, Personal life, Education, Career, Politi

Introduction

Sushila Karki is a pioneering Nepali jurist, best known for being the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal. Born 7 June 1952 in Biratnagar, Morang District, Eastern Region of Nepal.

Personal Life

Eldest of seven children.
Married to Durga Prasad Subedi, who is associated with the Nepali Congress and was her tutor during studies.
She comes from a modest background; her family had local roots in Biratnagar.

Education

BA from Mahendra Morang Campus, Biratnagar (1972).
MA in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India (1975).
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Tribhuvan University, Nepal (1978).

Career (Judicial / Legal)

Began law practice in Biratnagar in 1979.
Worked as an assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan in 1985.
Designated as Senior Advocate in 2007.
Appointed an Ad-Hoc Justice of the Nepal Supreme Court on 22 January 2009; became a permanent Justice on 18 November 2010.
Served as Acting Chief Justice from 13 April 2016 to 10 July 2016, then became Chief Justice from 11 July 2016 to 7 June 2017.

Political Role / Recent Developments

Known for taking a strong stand against corruption during her tenure, several high-profile decisions.
In April 2017, there was an impeachment motion filed against her by political parties (Maoist Centre, Nepali Congress) related to her judicial decisions, especially involving a police appointment issue. The motion was later withdrawn after public pressure and a Supreme Court interim order.
As of September 2025, she has been proposed by Gen Z protesters in Nepal as a potential interim Prime Minister, due to her reputation for integrity, neutrality (no political party ties), and anti-corruption credentials.

Literary Career

Published “Nyaya” ( न्याय ), an autobiography, in 2018.
Published a novel, “Kara” in December 2019, inspired by her own experiences, especially including her jail time during the Panchayat regime. The novel reflects themes of women’s plight, discrimination, and incarceration.

Keynotes / Highlights

First woman to become Chief Justice of Nepal, breaking a major gender barrier in the judiciary.
Strong anti-corruption stance; many landmark rulings that challenged political interference and corruption.
Known for independence and integrity, regardless of political pressure, she delivered judgments. The impeachment attempt is a testament to the tension between the judiciary and the executive.
She has become a symbol for many, especially younger generations, as someone seen as capable of leading with neutrality, especially in the ongoing political unrest.
Her literary works offer personal insight into her life journey, the challenges she faced in a male-dominated profession, and the political history of Nepal.

Sushila Karki: Introduction, Personal life, Education, Career, Political role, Literary career, and Keynotes