Indian Coast Guard DG Rakesh Pal passes away due to heart attack in Chennai
New Delhi/Chennai, Aug 18: Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal, who played a key role in boosting his force's operational prowess, passed away at a hospital in Chennai on Sunday following a cardiac arrest, officials said.
Pal had taken charge as the 25th Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chief on July 19 last year.
The officer, who was to attend an ICG event along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital (RGGH) after he complained of chest pain.
"Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today," the defence minister said on 'X'.
"He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making big strides in strengthening India's maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family," he said.
Singh also visited the hospital where he paid respects to Pal.
The officer, who was an ardent music lover and an avid sports enthusiast, hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by wife Dipa Pal and two daughters.
Arrangements are being made to bring his mortal remains to Delhi, the officials cited above said.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane described Pal as "an able and committed officer" and said under his leadership the Coast Guard was making huge strides in strengthening India's maritime security.
Under Pal's apex supervision, the ICG carried out many major operations that included seizure of drugs and narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees.
In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer had held several key appointments on the sea and ashore. Prominent among them were Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans) and Additional Director General at Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi.
He also held various prestigious staff assignments namely Director (Infra and Works) and Principal Director (Administration) at Coast Guard headquarters.
Pal was known for having a vast sea experience and commanded all class of Indian Coast Guard ships namely Samarth, Vijit, Sucheta Kriplani, Ahalyabai and C-03.
The officer also commanded two Coast Guard Base of forward area in Gujarat that is Okha and Vadinar.
He was elevated to the rank of additional director general in February 2022 and appointed as additional director general at Coast Guard headquarters.
Pal was an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989.
He had undergone professional specialisation in gunnery and weapons system at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi and electro-optics fire control solution course from the United Kingdom.
The officer also held the recognition of being the first gunner of Indian Coast Guard.
For his illustrious service, he had been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, President Tatrakshak Medal and Tatrakshak Medal for distinguished service.
Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today. He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making big strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 18, 2024
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BJP's Siroya seeks probe into ex-minister's claim of vote purchase to help Siddaramaiah win in polls
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has urged the Election Commission to take note of former Union Minister C M Ibrahim's reported remarks on the alleged purchase of votes during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections to help Siddaramaiah win from Badami segment.
In a letter to the ECI on Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha member said Ibrahim, who was Siddaramaiah's close associate and advisor for decades, has said that he, along with senior Congress leader B B Chimankatti, helped purchase 3,000 votes in 2018, so that Siddaramaiah could scrape through the assembly election from the Badami seat.
Siddaramaiah has reportedly denied Ibrahim's charges.
In a post on 'X', Siroya said, "In the final count, Shri Siddaramaiah's victory margin in Badami was a mere 1696 votes. It was a humiliating margin for a sitting chief minister. The NOTA votes, which were 2007, were higher than his victory margin."
Siroya said Ibrahim, who was a "prominent Congress leader in 2018 and by all references and claims, was in charge of his friend's election," must explain the source and method of the alleged vote purchase.
"Ibrahim will do us a great favour if he tells us how, and from whom, he purchased the 3,000 votes to save his friend. He has also said Shri. Siddaramaiah had paid for this purchase, but took six months to make the payment.
The #ECI may want to take note of this claim of gross electoral corruption from someone who has been a lawmaker and a union minister himself, and order an investigation."
Siroya recalled that Siddaramaiah had defeated BJP candidate B Sriramulu in Badami.
"Perhaps Sriramulu also has some information and insight on how the 3000 votes were purchased. If he speaks, we'll know more on what happened in 2018 when he had contested from two seats, and would have practically won both the seats if this vote purchase had not happened," he said.
Siroya also raised questions about Siddaramaiah's narrow victory in the 2006 Chamundeshwari by-election.
"Now that Ibrahim has spoken about Siddaramaiah's narrow victory in Badami in 2018, he should also open up on the 2006 by-election of Siddaramaiah from the Chamundeshwari assembly constituency. Then too he was his close friend and strategist," he pointed out.
Siroya further said that in 2006, Siddaramaiah fought his first election, after he joined the Congress and his victory margin was only 257 votes.
"Were votes purchased even then? Congress was in power in Delhi. Did they manage a victory for Siddaramaiah then? Who were the officers who conducted that election?" he asked.
Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Siroya said: "Anyway, @RahulGandhi, by coming to Bengaluru a few days back, and making wild allegations about electoral rolls, has opened up a can of worms. His party men, including his CM, are more affected than anybody else. We should thank Rahul Gandhi for coming to Bengaluru because what he has ultimately done is destabilise his own government."
The MP said that Rahul is known for his self-goals and this will count as a big one.
"Co-operation Minister KN Rajanna's un-democratic sacking because he contradicted Shri. Rahul Gandhi is the beginning of the Congress' fall in Karnataka," he stated.
K N Rajanna was sacked as Cooperation Minister on Monday for blaming the Congress government for the bogus voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
