After getting first female President and first House Speaker, Nepal will soon have its first female chief justice.

Senior Supreme Court (SC) Justice Sushila Karki, who on Tuesday became the first female member of the Judicial Council (JC), will succeed Chief Justice (CJ) Kalyan Shrestha when he completes his tenure in mid-April. 

Karki on Tuesday became a JC member in place of Senior SC Justice Girish Chandra Lal after his retirement due to age bar. 

Born on June 7, 1952 in Shankarpur-3, Biratnagar, Morang, Karki holds a post-graduate degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University, India and a law degree from Tribhuvan University. 

Karki was appointed SC justice (ad-hoc) on January 9, 2009 and since November 18, 2010, she has been serving as permanent justice.

Once she becomes chief justice in mid-April, she will serve for around 18 months. Karki is the only female justice in the SC. 

Karki has been known for her zero tolerance approach towards corruption. According to legal practitioners, the court looks into corruption cases on the basis of the principles set by her. 

“Having a female justice in such a prestigious position is a historical moment,” said Tika Ram Bhattarai, Vice President of Nepal Bar Association. “On top of that, we now have someone who is extremely capable and has set exemplary principles when it comes to good governance.”

The five-member JC is headed by the chief justice and minister for law and justice and the senior-most SC justice serve as the ex-officio members. 

A senior advocate or an advocate who has at least 20 years of experience, appointed by the chief justice on the recommendation of the Nepal Bar Association, and a person nominated by the prime minister from amongst the jurists are other members of the JC. 

The JC, established under Article 113 of the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007, is a body mainly responsible for making recommendations for the appointment, transfer, disciplinary action and dismissal of service 

of judges.

•     Born on June 7, 1952
•     Post-graduate (political science), Banaras Hindu University, India, Bachelor’s in Law, Tribhuvan University 
•     Appointed SC justice (ad-hoc) on Jan 9, 2009 
•     Serving as permanent SC justice since Nov 18, 2010
•     Became first woman Judicial Council member on Jan 5
•     Set to succeed Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha to become first female CJ in mid-April