Nepal’s ex-Chief Justice Sushila Karki takes oath as interim Prime Minister amid unrest

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Friday was administered oath as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, after the dissolution of Parliament, following the resignation of K.P. Sharma Oli.

Karki's name was agreed on the basis of consensus among all major political parties and representatives of the Gen Z protest group, reported PTI.





Oli stepped down earlier this week after days of anti-graft protests that have shaken the country. Karki, who made history as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, has been selected to lead a transitional government tasked with organising fresh elections and restoring political stability.

Also Read: Who is Sushila Karki: Ex-Chief justice to Nepal's first woman prime minister

Gen Z backs Karki
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has publicly endorsed Karki, strengthening her position as the preferred candidate of Nepal’s younger generation.

In a Facebook post, Shah wrote, “I fully support your proposal to lead this interim/electoral government by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. I would like to sincerely respect your understanding, wisdom, and unity. This shows how mature you are.”

He urged citizens not to panic and called on the younger generation to act with maturity, describing the moment as “unprecedented” in Nepal’s history.

Who is Sushila Karki?
Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Karki is the eldest of seven siblings. She began her legal career in 1979 and became a Senior Advocate in 2007. She was appointed an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court in 2009, made permanent in 2010, and went on to serve as the country’s first female Chief Justice from July 2016 to June 2017.

Protests and casualties
The anti-corruption protests that forced Oli’s resignation have left 31 people dead and over 1,000 injured in clashes with security forces, reported ANI, citing The Kathmandu Post.

The demonstrations erupted on September 8 across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal and Birgunj after the government banned major social media platforms, citing concerns over tax revenue and cybersecurity. A curfew remains in place in Kathmandu and other cities until Friday morning, as per the Nepalese Army.

Protesters are demanding an end to what they describe as “institutionalised corruption and favouritism” in governance. Public anger deepened after the “Nepo Babies” trend on social media highlighted the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children, fuelling resentment over inequality and lack of accountability.