Karki will head judiciary as acting CJ until parliamentary confirmationSushila Karki
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KATHMANDU, April 14: The country entered into New Year 2073 BS with a new chief justice at the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Sushila Karki, seniormost justice at the apex court, has become the first female to head the judiciary, creating a new history in Nepal.
Karki succeeds Kalyan Shrestha, who retired as chief justice on age ground on Tuesday.
Though Wednesday was public holiday, the Supreme Court updated its website replacing Shrestha with Karki as acting chief justice.
The first female chief justice is, however, heading the judiciary as acting chief justice as the parliamentary committee couldn't conduct hearing that is mandatory for appointment.
The Constitutional Council, the body that recommends chief justice, justices, heads and members of constitution bodies and ambassadors, recommended Karki for chief justice earlier on Sunday.
But as major political parties disputed over some of the provisions related to parliamentary hearings, the House committee couldn't confirm her as chief justice.
Until the parliamentary endorsement, she will head the Supreme Court as acting chief justice.
The president appoints the chief justice once the candidate is approved by the parliamentary hearings.
Once appointed, Karki will lead the judiciary for around 14 months, until she retires on June 7, 2017 on age ground.
Karki was appointed ad-hoc justice at the apex court on January 22, 2009 and as permanent justice on November 18, 2010.
A member of the Judicial Council, she headed the IT Committee and Case Management Committee at the Supreme Court. She is a member of the Constitutional Bench, which was formed within the apex court in accordance with the new constitution.
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