Former Delhi Chief Secretary Dies by Suicide

Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, 75, died by suicide at his residence in Noida on Sunday, police said on Tuesday. A suicide note was recovered from the spot, in which the retired IAS officer reportedly cited prolonged illness as the reason for taking the extreme step.

Mehta was living alone in a rented accommodation at Kendriya Vihar 2 Society in Sector 82, Noida. His wife, who is also a retired IAS officer, lives in Dehradun with their son and daughter.

According to police, Mehta’s wife became concerned after she was unable to reach him by phone. She contacted the housing complex’s security officer and asked him to check on her husband. Their last conversation had taken place late on Saturday, and police said there was nothing unusual about it.

Police received information at around 1:30 pm on Sunday that Mehta had been found dead inside his home.

A police officer said the suicide note mentioned that Mehta had been suffering from prolonged illness and stated that no one was responsible for his death. His body was handed over to the family after completion of legal procedures, while further investigation is underway.

Mehta had a long administrative career and held several important positions in the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He became Delhi’s chief secretary in 2007 and played a key administrative role during preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He retired from service in November 2010.

Colleagues and political leaders remembered Mehta as an efficient administrator who was open to new ideas and willing to implement major reforms. During his career, he was associated with initiatives involving property tax assessment, power-sector privatisation and changes in Delhi’s public transport system.

Among the reforms linked to his tenure was work on a plan to phase out the older Blueline buses and introduce low-floor buses in the national capital.

His cremation was held at Lodhi Crematorium on Monday.

Police said the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated, while the recovered note has provided an indication that prolonged illness was a factor.