Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, is likely to lead the country’s interim government after KP Oli’s fall.

Known for her integrity and zero tolerance for corruption, she jailed a sitting minister and earned the support of Gen Z protesters, who chose her over other contenders.

Karki began her legal career in 1979, became a Supreme Court justice in 2009, and made history as Chief Justice in 2016. She faced an impeachment motion in 2017 over alleged judicial activism.

A Banaras Hindu University alumna, she fondly recalls learning dance and politics there and was once offered a teaching role, but her path led to the judiciary. Today, her courage and reformist reputation position her as Nepal’s potential interim leader.