Who Is Sushila Karki? Nepal’s First Woman Chief Justice Backed By Gen-Z, Kathmandu Mayor To Lead Interim Govt
Following PM Oli's resignation, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is emerging as a potential candidate to lead Nepal's transitional government. She is reportedly supported by the Gen-Z movement.
Amid the political uncertainty in Nepal following the resignation of former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has surfaced as a potential candidate to head a transitional government, according to sources cited by news agency ANI. Reports suggest that her name is also gaining traction among civic groups seeking a non-partisan figure to guide the country through this volatile phase.
Gen-Z Movement Endorses Sushila Karki
In a virtual meeting that lasted nearly four hours, members of Nepal’s Gen-Z movement reportedly agreed to support Karki as their interim leader in upcoming negotiations. According to reports, participants of the Zoom session emphasised that no youth affiliated with established political parties should take part in the leadership talks. To ensure neutrality, they backed civic activist Karki, who remains unaffiliated with any political party.
A youth told ANI, "This is an interim government. We have given her name to protect democracy in our country."
#WATCH | Kathmandu | As former Chief Justice Sushila Karki's name comes up as one of the possible candidates to lead the new transitional government in Nepal, a youth says, "This is an interim government. We have given her name to protect democracy in our country." pic.twitter.com/KOR5Jk0zX8
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2025
Another protester said, "My immediate concern is the law and order in the country. To maintain it, the country requires a person who is knowledgeable about the law. For this, Sushila Karki is the right option."
#WATCH | Kathmandu, Nepal | A Nepali student studying International Affairs and Diplomacy, says, "My immediate concern is the law and order in the country. To maintain it, the country requires a person who is knowledgeable about the law. For this, Sushila Karki is the right… pic.twitter.com/BPGt7D3Hv8
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2025
Kathmandu Mayor Back Sushila Karki As Interim Government Head
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah also appealed for peace as he endorsed appointing former chief justice as interim government head.
He posted on Facebook, "My request to dear Gen-Z and all Nepalis: The country is now in an unprecedented situation in its history. You are now taking steps toward a brighter future. Please do not panic at this time and remain patient. The country is moving toward an interim government, which will conduct new elections. The role of this interim government is to hold elections and provide a fresh mandate to the nation. I fully support your proposal to lead this interim/electoral government, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. I sincerely respect your understanding, wisdom, and unity from the bottom of my heart."
About Sushila Karki: Nepal’s First Woman Chief Justice
Sushila Karki holds a significant place in Nepal’s history as the first woman to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, serving from July 2016 to June 2017. She began her legal career in the late 1970s and rose through the judiciary, eventually being appointed as Justice of the Supreme Court in 2009 and confirmed as permanent Justice in 2010.
Karki has been widely recognised for her unwavering commitment to judicial independence and her role in landmark cases that have shaped the country's legal landscape.
Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Nepal, Sushila Karki laid the foundation for a remarkable legal career with strong academic roots. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Mahendra Morang Campus, Biratnagar, in 1972, followed by a master’s degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, in 1975. Karki completed her law degree at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 1978.
Karki began practising law in Biratnagar in 1979 and briefly worked as an assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan, in 1985. Her expertise and dedication earned her the status of senior advocate in 2007. She was appointed an Ad-Hoc Justice of the Supreme Court on January 22, 2009, and became a permanent Justice on November 18, 2010. Karki served as acting Chief Justice from April 13 to July 10, 2016, before taking over as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from July 11, 2016, to June 7, 2017.
During her tenure, Karki presided over critical cases on transitional justice and electoral disputes, reinforcing the Supreme Court’s role as a guardian of Nepal’s democracy. On April 30, 2017, the Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress submitted an impeachment motion against her in Parliament. Public outcry and an interim Supreme Court order eventually halted the motion, preventing Parliament from proceeding further.
Karki is married to Durga Prasad Subedi, a notable youth leader of the Nepali Congress, whom she met while studying in Banaras.
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