Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide at Noida residence

Former Delhi Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer Rakesh Mehta took his own life at his residence in Noida, leaving behind a suicide note, according to police. The 74-year-old former IAS officer, who served under former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit from 2007 to 2010, was known for his role in executing major transport, power, and civic infrastructure projects in the city.

Mehta, who studied at St Stephen's College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the London School of Economics, was the commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) before becoming chief secretary in 2007. His family, including his wife, a retired IAS officer, and their children, were based in Dehradun and London. Police found a one-page suicide note at Mehta's rented flat in Noida, which did not assign blame and indicated distress due to health issues, including hypertension, diabetes, and trembling in his right hand and leg.

Mehta's wife spoke to him on the phone on Saturday night, but he was found hanging from the ceiling fan on Sunday afternoon when family members could not reach him. His body was cremated at Lodhi Road crematorium the following day.