PHSC endorses Sushila Karki as next CJ

Published On: July 10, 2016 02:35 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Acting Chief Justice Sushila Karki during the parliamentary hearing. (Dipesh Shrestha)

KATHMANDU, July 10: The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee (PHSC) on Sunday endorsed the nomination of Acting Chief JusticeSushila Karki as Chief Justice (CJ).

The meeting of the committee today questioned Karki on complaints filed against her. A total of six complaints were registered at the committee against Karki. Most of the complaints had raised questions about the competence of Acting CJ Karki.

During the hearing, Karki said that she will adopt a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. Saying that there are over 36,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court (SC), Karki suggested to appoint Justices at the soonest to finalize the cases.

The Constitutional Council on April 10 had recommended Karki to the post. The hearing was delayed owing to disputes among major parties on formation of the hearing committee.

26th Chief Justice

Sushila Karki will become the 26th chief justice and the first female in the post in Nepal's history. She will lead the judiciary for almost 14 months, until she retires on June 7, 2017 upon reaching the age limit.

Karki was appointed ad-hoc justice at the Supreme Court on January 22, 2009 and as permanent justice on November 18, 2010.

Currently, she is the seniormost justice at the Supreme Court. She is now also a member of the Judicial Council. She is also chairperson of the IT Committee and Case Management Committee at the Supreme Court. She is a member of the Constitutional Bench.

Born in Biratnagar on June 7, 1952, she completed a bachelor's degree in law from Tribhuvan University in 1978. She has also done her post graduate in political science from Banaras Hindu University. Karki has been a member of the International Association of Women Judges since 2010.

She was a senior advocate before she was appointed to the apex court in 2009. She was accorded the title of senior advocate in 2004.

Karki was president of the Appelate Court Bar Association Biratnagar for a term until 2004. She was also a known human rights activist until her appointment to the Supreme Court and was associated with the Human Rights Organization and Amnesty International Nepal.

Married to a well-known Nepali Congress leader Durga Subedi, they have a son.