Pranab Mukherjee passes away at 84

New Delhi, Aug 31: India's former president Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday, weeks after a brain surgery after which he had developed complications. He was 84.

The 84-year old was admitted to hospital on 10 August for removal of a clot in the brain. He was operated upon but slipped into a coma.

"With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers ,duas and prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of You," his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted.

He had tested positive for covid-19 during his hospitalisation and is also being treated for renal infection.

A seven-day state mourning was announced by the Centre after former president Pranab Mukherjee died at a Delhi hospital on Monday.

"As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days State Mourning will be observed throughout India from 31.08.2020 to 06.09.2020, both days inclusive," the government said in a statement.

During the period of state mourning, the national flag will fly at half-mast at all buildings throughout the country wherever it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.

A veteran politician, Mukherjee served as the president between 2012 and 2017. Prior to that, he served in the government under three different prime ministers and managed diverse portfolios -- finance, external affairs and defence.

In his last stint in the government, he also shouldered such as responsibilities like heading multiple Group of Ministers arrangements that examined critical issues and prescribed policy options.