Kathmandu witnessed a historic political transition as former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister following the resignation of KP Sharma Oli amid widespread protests that claimed at least 51 lives.
Sushila Karki sworn-in as Nepal’s New PM
The 73-year-old jurist’s, Sushila Karki, appointment resulted from consensus negotiations between President Ramchandra Paudel, Nepal’s Generation Z protest movement representatives, and Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. Her selection follows days of unprecedented demonstrations against corruption and governmental misrule that ultimately forced Oli’s resignation.
Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice from July 2016 to June 2017, distinguished herself through unwavering anti-corruption policies that earned both admiration and opposition. Her judicial reputation positioned her as protesters’ preferred choice for interim leadership, with comparisons drawn to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who led Bangladesh’s interim government following student-led uprising against Sheikh Hasina.
About Background and Career
Born in 1952 as the eldest of seven children in an eastern Nepal farming family, Karki completed her Bachelor of Arts at Mahendra Morang Campus in 1972, followed by a master’s in political science at India’s Banaras Hindu University in 1975. She obtained her law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978.
Her judicial career began in 2009 as a temporary Supreme Court judge, becoming permanent in 2010 and ascending to Chief Justice by 2016. During her tenure, she presided over landmark corruption cases, including the conviction of Information and Communications Minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta.
In April 2017, lawmakers filed impeachment proceedings against her, alleging bias in rulings against the anti-corruption watchdog chief. However, public protests defending judicial independence forced withdrawal of the motion within weeks, allowing her to complete her term before retiring in June 2017.
Political Crisis
The current unrest began after the Oli government imposed a nationwide social media ban to suppress dissent. Despite the ban’s revocation, protests escalated, resulting in over 1,300 injuries alongside the fatalities when police fired on demonstrators defying curfews.
Sushila Karki’s appointment represents Nepal’s attempt to restore stability through a respected figure known for integrity and anti-corruption principles, marking a significant moment in the nation’s tumultuous political landscape.
