Who Is Sushila Karki? Nepal's 1st Woman Chief Justice Amid Controversy

Meet the 71-year-old Nepalese Jurist Sushila Karki who created history in Nepal as she was appointed the first female Chief Justice in in 2016. Karki's tenure was marked by both historic achievement and political controversy. She was appointed by the then-President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari in 2016 after the Constitutional Council headed by then-Prime Minister KP Oli recommended her for the post. However, her tenure was marked by both historic achievement and political controversy.

Who Is Sushila Karki? First Woman Chief Justice Of Nepal Amid Controversy

Karki, who started her career as a teacher, holds a very strong and unbiased image in the judiciary circuit of Nepal. During her career as a chief justice and judge, she created the reputation of a just, brave, unbiased and competent professional with zero tolerance for corruption. However, she has dealt with some controversial cases involving ministers as well.

She was on the Constitutional Drafting Committee in 2006, where her work was recognised and appreciated by many (while India has no woman on its drafting committee);

Nepal shifted from Hindu status to secular in 2008, though it was only last year that the new, secular government gave women the constitutional right to proportional inclusion in government bodies and equal rights in lineage, irrespective of community. In 2009, Karki was appointed as an ad-hoc justice in the Supreme Court of Nepal, followed by a permanent position in 2010.

In 2016, she became the acting Chief Justice before being officially appointed to the position in July of that year. Karki's appointment as Chief Justice was a significant milestone for Nepal. She shattered the glass ceiling and became a symbol of progress for women in the legal system.

One interesting fact is that Karki completed her post-graduation in Political Sciences from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in India. India hadn't had a female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time when Karki was appointed as Chief Justice in the Supreme Court of Nepal. 

Controversy

Despite her achievements, Karki's time as Chief Justice was cut short by controversy. In April 2017, the ruling coalition parties filed an impeachment motion against her. The accusations were wide-ranging, but many observers believed the move was politically motivated. Karki was known for her independence and had issued rulings against powerful figures.

The impeachment motion sparked a public outcry in Nepal. Many citizens saw it as an attack on the judiciary's independence. The Supreme Court itself issued an interim order halting the impeachment proceedings. In the face of mounting pressure, the government eventually withdrew the motion, allowing Karki to complete her term. However, she retired shortly due to mandatory age restrictions.

Sushila Karki's legacy is complex. She is remembered for being a strong advocate for judicial independence and a role model for aspiring female jurists. However, her short and tumultuous tenure also highlighted the challenges Nepal faces in strengthening its democratic institutions.