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Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta (74) reportedly committed suicide at his residence in Noida. His body was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his residence in Sector 82, Noida on September 6, officials said. Rakesh Mehta served as Chief Secretary of Delhi for nearly three years during the tenure of then Chief Minister Sheila Dixit. According to officials, the Noida Police has obtained a suicide note in which he cited his “mental and health problems” as the reason behind his action.

Served as Chief Secretary for three years

Rakesh Mehta served as the Chief Secretary of Delhi for over three years during the tenure of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. He was a 1975 batch Indian Administrative Service (IPS) officer. During his tenure, the 2010 Commonwealth Games were held in Delhi. He also played a key role in privatization of electricity in Delhi, replacement of Blue Line buses with low-floor buses, and improvements in transport and civic infrastructure. According to the news agency, his former colleagues said that he had held various posts in the Delhi government and was also the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He assumed the post of Chief Secretary in 2007 and retired in November 2010. He was cremated on Monday (September 7, 2026) at Lodhi Road Crematorium.

The door of Rakesh Mehta’s flat was closed

The police received information about the incident by dialing 112 and a team from Phase 2 police station immediately reached the spot. The door of Rakesh Mehta’s flat was locked from inside, which the police broke and entered. Later, his body was found inside the house. At the time of the incident, the former chief secretary’s wife, Sumanti Mehta, was visiting her son in Dehradun.

The cause of death is being investigated

Police are now investigating the cause of death. They are also examining the note and other evidence found in the house. When repeated phone calls to Sumanti Mehta went unanswered, she suspected something was amiss and informed the police.