Nepal’s Sushila Karki: The Defiant Chief Justice Returns to Power

Sushila Karki Poised to Become Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister.Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is the consensus candidate to lead Nepal’s new government. This follows widespread youth-led protests that forced the previous coalition to step down. Karki, 73, would make history as the country’s first woman to hold the prime ministerial office.Her selection brings a respected judicial figure to the forefront of Nepali politics. This move aims to ensure stability and integrity after a period of significant public unrest.

A History of Confrontation and Reform

Karki is no stranger to political battles. In 2017, she served as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice. Her tenure was marked by a major confrontation with the government of then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.Karki’s Supreme Court bench overruled the government’s appointment of a national police chief. She insisted the job must go to the highest-ranking officer based on merit. This ruling was celebrated as a bold pro-democracy move. According to Reuters, it challenged a long history of political favoritism in such appointments.The ruling coalition responded by filing an impeachment motion against her. They accused her of judicial overreach and taking sides in cases. This move sparked immediate domestic and international condemnation.

Global Support and Lasting Impact

The impeachment attempt drew sharp criticism from global rights organizations. Human Rights Watch called it an attempt to override a judicial decision. The International Commission of Jurists also issued a statement in her defense.Domestic civil society groups protested heavily for her reinstatement. The Supreme Court eventually ordered parliament to suspend the impeachment motion. Karki completed her term and retired in June 2017.Her legacy on the bench is substantial. She once convicted and imprisoned a sitting minister on corruption charges. Another landmark ruling allowed Nepali women to pass citizenship to their children.

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This potential appointment signals a profound shift in Nepal’s political landscape. It directly responds to public demand for accountable leadership. Sushila Karki’s historic nomination as Nepal’s first female prime minister could usher in a new era of reform.

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Who is Sushila Karki?

Sushila Karki is a former Chief Justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court. She is now the consensus candidate to become the country’s next, and first female, Prime Minister.

Why was she impeached in 2017?

The government filed an impeachment motion after she overruled its appointment of a police chief. They accused her of judicial interference, though many saw her actions as anti-corruption.

What is significant about her becoming PM?

Her appointment would be historic, making her Nepal’s first female head of government. It also represents a move towards an independent, non-partisan leader amid instability.

How did the international community react in 2017?

Groups like Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists strongly defended her. They criticized the impeachment as political interference in the judiciary.

What are her key achievements?

She jailed a sitting minister for corruption and granted women the right to pass citizenship to their children. She is widely known for her strong anti-graft stance.