Former minister and Buddha Air founder Surendra Bahadur Basnet passed away on Sunday. He was 95.

Announcing the passing away of Nepal’s aviation veteran, Buddha Air, through a statement, said the company lost a good guardian with the demise of its founding executive chairman.

Born in Salma of Bhojpur district, Basnet established the airlines at the age of 70 years and also held various high-ranking government positions.

He worked as the Supreme Court’s judge, the first chief election commissioner, the Minister for Law and Justice, Education, Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supplies on different occasions and the first chairman of the Nepal Press Council.