Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Colleagues Remember Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta
Rakesh Mehta was a senior government officer in Delhi.
He served as Delhi’s chief secretary from 2007 to 2011.
He also led the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and later became the state election commissioner.
Former colleagues remembered him as calm, honest and willing to try new ideas.
He helped introduce CNG buses and low-floor buses.
He also supported computer-based public services and privatisation projects.
Police said Mehta died by suicide on September 6 at his home in Noida.
A purported note reportedly mentioned prolonged illness.
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta died by suicide on September 6, police said.
Mehta served as Delhi’s chief secretary from 2007 until his retirement in 2011.
Colleagues described him as upright, calm, innovative, hands-on and willing to take risks.
He led or supported reforms including CNG buses, low-floor buses, digitisation and civic-service privatisation.
Police said a purported suicide note cited prolonged illness as the reason for his death.
- Who
- Rakesh Mehta, a former Delhi chief secretary and IAS officer, died; colleagues and political leaders remembered his career.
- What
- Mehta died by suicide, while former colleagues recalled his administrative reforms and leadership.
- When
- He died on September 6; he served as Delhi chief secretary from 2007 until retiring in 2011.
- Where
- He was found dead at his residence in Noida, and his public service was largely in Delhi.
- Why
- Police said a purported suicide note mentioned prolonged illness as the reason for his death.
- Position
- Delhi chief secretary from 2007 to 2011
- Cadre and batch
- 1975-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer
- MCD commissioner
- Served from April 2002 to November 2005
- Later appointment
- Became state election commissioner in 2012
- Major transport reform
- Helped convert Delhi Transport Corporation buses from diesel to CNG and introduced low-floor buses
- Other reforms
- Supported digitised civic services, unit-area property-tax calculation and privatisation of solid-waste transport
- Police account
- A purported suicide note was found and reportedly cited prolonged illness