September 11, Thursday:
Nepal is facing an era of political upheaval after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amidst mass student-led protests. With the military intervening to control the situation, the focus has now fallen on who is going to head the Himalayan nation's caretaker government. Among the leaders supported by the 'Gen Z' movement is Nepal's first woman Chief Justice Sushila Karki, whose India tie makes her an even more interesting character in this evolving crisis.
The five most significant facts about Sushila Karki are as follows:
1. First female Chief Justice of Nepal
Sushila Karki became the first woman Chief Justice of Nepal in July 2016 and served until June 2017. She was known for her firm anti-corruption stand as she adopted a zero-tolerance approach inside the judiciary. Her blunt decisions had the tendency to challenge the political establishment, and she turned out to be an icon of honesty.
2. Legal career and rise to the top
Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Karki began her practice in law in 1979 after completing her study in law. In 2007, she was certified as a senior advocate. Her life as a lawyer took a dramatic turn in 2009 when she was appointed as an ad-hoc judge at Supreme Court and then was made a permanent judge in 2010.
3. Education in India
Karki attended school in India during her early years, completing a master's in political science at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1975. She has fond memories of her Varanasi life, teachers, friends, and the Ganga River. This Indian link has impacted her way of thinking and gives her a cultural identity with the Indians.
4. Controversies and resilience
Karki was suspended on a temporary basis from her role as Chief Justice in April 2017 after lawmakers shelved an impeachment motion against her. The move was precipitated by her ruling to annul the appointment of the anti-corruption chief, a decision that unsettled powerful political interests. Although divisive, the episode cemented her reputation as a staunch advocate of the law.
5. Close connection with India and PM Modi
In her interviews, Karki has talked fondly of India, calling Indo-Nepal relations the relations of "brothers and sisters." She has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and appreciated India's unwavering support to Nepal. She has also guaranteed Indians' safety while staying in Nepal during the ongoing unrest, emphasizing the people-to-people connect that runs deep.
