Who was Rakesh Mehta? Ex-Delhi chief secretary hangs himself, leaves suicide note, family says he was unwell | Today’s news
Former Delhi Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer Rakesh Mehta hanged himself to death at his residence in Kendriya Vihar-2, Phase-2, Gautam Buddha Nagar, police said.
Who was Rakesh Mehta?
Mehta, 74, was a 1975 batch IAS officer. He served under former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit for over three years – from 2007 to 2010. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi were organized in 2010 during his tenure.
Mehta was instrumental in the implementation of some key projects in the field of transport, energy and civic infrastructure in the city.
He served in the Delhi government in various capacities and was also the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), his former colleagues told PTI.
He took over as Chief Secretary in 2007 and retired in November 2010.
Mehta studied at St Stephen’s College, Jawaharlal Nehru University and the London School of Economics, where he studied economics and related fields.
Reason for suicide
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mehta’s death.
According to PTI, Noida Police said that Mehta had been staying alone in a rented flat in Kendriya Vihar-2 in Sector 82 for about five years.
His wife, also a retired Delhi cadre IAS officer, and their son are based in Dehradun, while their married daughter lives in London.
His wife and son visited him occasionally in Noida, the official said.
No complaint was filed by the family.
Suicide note restored
Police reportedly recovered a one-page suicide note from Mehta’s apartment. The alleged note held no one responsible and mentioned that Mehta was suffering from an illness.
According to PTI, family members said he was suffering from hypertension, diabetes and other health problems, apart from tremors in his right hand and leg, the official said.
According to the police, Mehta’s wife spoke to him on the phone on Saturday evening. When the family members could not reach him despite repeated calls on Sunday afternoon, they alerted the company’s security.
Two guards then went to the apartment and found him hanging from the ceiling fan.
Noida police and a relative living nearby reached the spot soon. According to the Noida police, information about the incident was received at the Phase 2 police station through 112 number.
A forensics team was subsequently called in to collect evidence. Later, the body was sent for autopsy.
The investigation was completed and an autopsy was performed.
He was cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Monday. After completion of the required procedure, the body of the deceased was handed over to the family for the last rites.
