Who Was Rakesh Mehta? Ex-Delhi Chief Secretary Under Sheila Dikshit Dies by Suicide; Lived Alone in Final Years

Rakesh Mehta dies at 74 in Noida

Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, a 1975-batch IAS officer, died by suicide at his rented home in Noida's Sector 82 on September 6. He was 74.

According to Noida Police, Mehta had been living alone at Kendriya Vihar-2 for around five years. His wife, also a retired Delhi-cadre IAS officer, and their son lived in Dehradun, while their married daughter was based in London.

Police said Mehta's wife last spoke to him on Saturday night. When family members could not reach him the following day despite repeated calls, they alerted the residential society's security staff. Guards subsequently went to his flat and found him dead.

A purported one-page note was recovered from the residence. Police said it referred to mental and health issues and stated that no one was responsible for his death. The investigation is continuing.

Who was Rakesh Mehta?

Mehta had a career spanning more than three decades in the Indian Administrative Service and held several senior positions in the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

He became Delhi Chief Secretary in 2007 and remained in the post until his retirement in November 2010. His tenure coincided with preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a major infrastructure and administrative undertaking for the national capital.

Mehta also served as Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and held important responsibilities in the transport and power departments.

His role in changing Delhi's public transport

One of Mehta's notable administrative contributions was his involvement in the transformation of Delhi's public transport system.

During his tenure as principal secretary for transport, plans were advanced to phase out the controversial Blueline buses and introduce low-floor buses. According to his former colleagues, around 2,500 low-floor buses were added to the city's fleet as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Former Delhi minister Arvinder Singh Lovely recalled Mehta as an officer who was receptive to new policies and ideas and played an important role in planning the transport reforms.

Role in Delhi's power reforms

Mehta also served as Delhi's Power Secretary when electricity distribution in the capital was privatised.

The reform fundamentally changed the city's power distribution system. During his career, he was also associated with several civic infrastructure and administrative projects.

As MCD commissioner, Mehta worked on changes to municipal taxation and sanitation systems. Former colleagues credited him with introducing the unit area method for property tax calculation and pushing reforms in sanitation services.

Connection with Sheila Dikshit government

Mehta served during the long tenure of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, whose government was in power for three consecutive terms.

His tenure as chief secretary covered a crucial period when Delhi was preparing to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Games were held in October 2010, shortly before Mehta retired from government service.

His administrative career therefore coincided with a period of major urban expansion and infrastructure development in Delhi.

Education and professional background

Mehta had an academic background in economics. He studied at St Stephen's College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, before pursuing higher studies at the London School of Economics.

His former colleagues have described him as an administrator willing to implement new ideas and take on large-scale projects.

What is known about his final days?

Police said Mehta had been living alone in Noida for several years, although his wife and children remained in regular contact with him.

Family members told officials that he had been suffering from hypertension, diabetes and other health problems. Police also said he had experienced trembling in his right hand and leg.

The purported note recovered from his home referred to his health and did not blame anyone else for his death.

His last rites were performed at the Lodhi Road crematorium in Delhi on Monday, September 7, after completion of the required legal procedures.

Investigation underway

Police have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mehta's death. A forensic team examined the residence and the body was sent for post-mortem examination before being handed over to the family.

While police have said the note indicated health-related distress and did not hold anyone responsible, the investigation into the circumstances of his death remains underway.

Rakesh Mehta's death marks the end of the life of a senior bureaucrat whose career was closely intertwined with some of Delhi's biggest administrative and infrastructure reforms of the 2000s.