Sushila Karki just made waves in Nepal by becoming the country’s first female executive head, stepping up to lead the transitional government. This isn’t her first big win—she broke barriers back in July 2016 as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice. Now, Gen Z protesters who ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government have picked her to take the reins, thanks to her topping the votes on the popular online platform Discord.
In a rare show of unity in Nepal’s often divided politics, Karki stands out as a figure everyone can get behind. The youth movement, along with traditional political groups, see her as the steady hand Nepal needs right now amid all the chaos. As reported by The Kathmandu Post, her selection through this public Discord vote highlights her broad appeal for stability and trust.
Karki has big plans ahead: restoring order, pushing for elections, and driving Nepal’s development forward. What makes her so respected? Her rock-solid reputation for judicial independence, especially in cracking down on corruption. She’s the kind of leader who earns praise from both young activists and seasoned politicians.
Born on June 7, 1952, in Shankarpur, Biratnagar, Karki’s path to power started with a strong foundation in law. She finished her early schooling in Biratnagar, then headed to India’s Banaras Hindu University for a master’s degree. Back home, she grabbed a Bachelor of Laws from Tribhuvan University in 1978. By 1979, she dove into legal practice and climbed the ranks—serving as president of the Koshi Zonal Bar Association and the Biratnagar Appellate Bar. In 2009, she joined the Supreme Court as a justice, and just seven years later, she shattered the glass ceiling as Chief Justice.
During her time on the bench, Karki didn’t shy away from tough calls. She led landmark rulings in high-profile corruption cases against politicians, showing zero tolerance for wrongdoing. Even though she got her Supreme Court spot through the Nepali Congress quota, colleagues say she never let politics sway her decisions. Her term ended abruptly in June 2017 after a controversial impeachment push by the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led coalition—widely seen as a move to block her verdict on a police chief appointment.
People who’ve worked with her can’t stop raving about her courage and integrity. “She’s a true Gandhian, not just in beliefs but in her simple lifestyle,” says Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, a former Supreme Court justice who teamed up with her. He points out that Karki and her husband, Durga Subedi—a Congress leader famous for hijacking a plane in 1973 to fund the anti-Panchayat movement—have poured their lives into Nepal’s democratic fight. “She’s got the guts to tackle this huge challenge. We all need to back her as she guides the country through this transition with top-notch democratic values,” Bhattarai adds.
Karki’s no stranger to calling out corruption; her court delivered game-changing verdicts that held powerful figures accountable. Senior advocate Bipin Adhikari, a professor at Kathmandu University School of Law, praises her lifelong commitment to ethics. “In these tough times, she’ll need a strong team of good people to make this government a success,” he says.
Sure, some wonder if the tech-savvy Gen Z crowd and Karki’s traditional roots will mesh perfectly. But Bhattarai brushes that off: “The young generation found a real guardian in her. They’ve picked the best person for Nepal’s first female leader role.” With her track record, Karki seems ready to bridge the gap and steer Nepal toward a brighter future. ()
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