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

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 The motion was later withdrawn after public pressure and a Supreme Court interim order.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.

Further Readings

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushila_Karki
2. https://supremecourt.gov.np/pages/cv_justices/cv_sushilakarki.html
3. https://www.news18.com/world/untouched-by-politics-backed-by-the-streets-meet-sushila-karki-head-of-nepals-interim-govt-9563567.html
4. https://english.khabarhub.com/2025/10/495682/
5. https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/who-is-sushila-karki-the-ex-chief-justice-who-got-more-votes-than-balen-shah-to-lead-nepal-interim-govt-2025-09-10-1007613
6. https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/karki-becomes-first-woman-cj-creating-history
7. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepals-former-chief-justice-to-lead-talks-with-army-for-government-formation-9252153
8. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Sep/10/nepals-gen-z-protest-movement-prefers-former-chief-justice-sushila-karki-as-interim-leader
9. https://www.news18.com/world/untouched-by-politics-backed-by-the-streets-meet-sushila-karki-head-of-nepals-interim-govt-9563567.html