Former IAS officer Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide at Noida residence

Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, a 1975‑batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was discovered dead at his Noida home on Sunday afternoon, with police indicating the death was self‑inflicted. Authorities said a suicide note was recovered in which Mehta referenced a "prolonged illness" as the motive for his action.

The police received a distress call at approximately 1:28 pm on September 6, after Mehta’s wife and son, who reside in Dehradun, were unable to reach him. Mehta lived alone in Pocket 6, Kendriya Vihar II, Noida, an area under the jurisdiction of the Noida Phase 2 police station. A security guard who responded to the call found Mehta’s body, and a relative living nearby arrived shortly thereafter. The officer’s career included serving under the Sheila Dixit government, heading the Delhi Secretariat as chief secretary from 2007 until his retirement in November 2010.

Mehta’s death marks a tragic end to a distinguished bureaucratic career that spanned over three decades, influencing Delhi’s administrative landscape. The incident has raised concerns about the health and well‑being of senior civil servants, prompting discussions among policymakers and former colleagues about support mechanisms for retired officials. His family, including his wife and son, have been notified and are expected to handle the matter privately.