Ex-Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Dies By Suicide In Noida Flat - ndtv.com

**Ex‑Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Found Dead in Noida Flat, Authorities Say Suicide**

New Delhi – Former Delhi chief secretary and senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Rakesh Mehta was discovered hanging in his Noida apartment on Tuesday, prompting an immediate police investigation that has ruled the death a suicide. According to the police statement released to NDTV, the 64‑year‑old civil servant was found unresponsive by a family member, and paramedics declared him dead at the scene. A handwritten note was reportedly recovered, in which Mehta cited deteriorating health and personal distress as reasons for taking his own life. The Times of India and India Today corroborated the presence of the note and the manner of death, while the Hindustan Times added that his family was informed and is cooperating with investigators.

Mehta, who served as Delhi’s chief secretary from 2015 to 2018, was known for steering several high‑profile initiatives, including the city’s expansion of the metro network and the implementation of the “Smart City” project. After retiring from the civil service, he remained active in advisory roles for various state and central government committees. Sources close to the family say that Mehta had been battling chronic health issues, including hypertension and a recent cardiac episode, which may have contributed to his state of mind. The Indian Express reported that he had also been undergoing treatment for a respiratory ailment, and friends described him as “quietly struggling” in recent months.

The Delhi government expressed shock at the news, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offering condolences to Mehta’s family and pledging a thorough inquiry. A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the case is being handled by the Noida police’s crime branch and that a post‑mortem report will be submitted to the court as per standard procedure. While the investigation is ongoing, officials have urged the public to respect the family’s privacy and to seek professional help if they or someone they know is experiencing mental health challenges. Mental‑health advocates have called the incident a stark reminder of the pressures faced by senior bureaucrats, even after retirement.