India

Ex-Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Found Dead by Suicide in Noida, Note Cites Illness

By Akriti Anand

Rakesh Mehta, a former Chief Secretary of Delhi and retired 1975-batch IAS officer, was found dead by suicide at his residence in Kendriya Vihar-2, Phase-2, Gautam Buddha Nagar, police said. He was 74 years old.

Mehta had served under former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for more than three years, from 2007 to 2010, a period that included the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. During his tenure, he was recognized for overseeing major transport, power, and civic infrastructure projects in the capital. Former colleagues told PTI that he held several positions within the Delhi government, including Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He became Chief Secretary in 2007 and retired in November 2010.

Mehta was educated at St Stephen's College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the London School of Economics, where he studied economics and related fields.

According to Noida police, Mehta had been living alone for about five years in a rented flat in Kendriya Vihar-2 society, Sector 82. His wife, also a retired IAS officer from the Delhi cadre, and their son reside in Dehradun, while their married daughter lives in London. His wife and son visited him occasionally, an official said. The family has not filed any complaint regarding his death.

Police recovered a one-page note from the flat in which Mehta reportedly did not blame anyone for his decision, citing distress over his health. Family members told police he had been suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and other ailments, along with trembling in his right hand and leg.

Police said Mehta's wife spoke with him over the phone on Saturday night. When the family could not reach him despite repeated calls on Sunday afternoon, they alerted the housing society's security staff. Two guards went to his flat and discovered him hanging from the ceiling fan. Police and a nearby relative arrived shortly after.

According to police, the incident was reported to the Phase-2 Police Station through the Dial-112 emergency service, following which a forensic team was dispatched to collect evidence. The body was later sent for a post-mortem examination, and inquest proceedings were completed.

Mehta was cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Monday after his body was handed over to the family following the completion of all required procedures.