Coast Guard DG Rakesh Pal passes away due to heart attack in Chennai

Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal passed away in Chennai on Sunday due to a heart attack, according to officials.

Sources told ToI that Rakesh Pal developed chest pain at INS Adyar when he was in discussion with the officials about the preparations for defence minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Chennai. He was rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) around 2.30 pm, but he died without responding to the treatment around 7 pm.

Chief minister MK Stalin and defence minister Rajnath Singh were to visit RGGGH to pay their respects to Rakesh Pal.


DG Rakesh Pal was appointed as the 25th director general of the Indian Coast Guard in July last year. An alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy, Rakesh Pal joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. In his career spanning over 35 years, the flag officer has held several key appointments, prominent among them are Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy & Plans), and Additional Director General Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

He has vast sea experience and commanded all classes of ICG ships namely; ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. The Officer has also Commanded two Coast Guard bases of the forward area in Gujarat - Okha & Vadinar. DG Rakesh Pal was conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his illustrious service.

Arrangements are being made to bring his mortal remains to Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)