Pal was in Chennai to participate in an ICG event alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal passed away at a government hospital in Chennai due to a cardiac arrest, according to Defence sources reported by PTI on Sunday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences, stating on social media platform X: “I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG of the Indian Coast Guard, in Chennai today. He was a dedicated and capable officer who made significant contributions to enhancing India’s maritime security under his leadership. My heartfelt sympathies to his grieving family.”

Pal was in Chennai to attend an ICG event with Singh and was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital (RGGH) earlier that day after experiencing discomfort.

Singh, who was also attending a state government event to release a commemorative coin in honor of the late Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s birth centenary, visited the hospital to pay his respects upon hearing of Pal’s passing.