'Mental and Health Issue': Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Commits Suicide at Noida Residence, Note Found

New Delhi: Rakesh Mehta, a former Delhi chief secretary who worked under Sheila Dikshit as Delhi chief minister, allegedly committed suicide at his home in Noida on Tuesday, officials said.

The 74-year-old retired IAS officer was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan in his Sector 82 home on September 6, according to Noida Police. A supposed suicide note was also discovered at the scene, in which Mehta purportedly mentioned "mental and health issues" as the grounds for his choice.

Mehta, a 1975-batch IAS officer, was Delhi's top secretary for over three years under Dikshit. He started the position in 2007 and retired in November 2010. During his time as chief secretary, Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Throughout his career, Mehta was involved with a number of major transportation, electrical, and civic infrastructure projects in the national capital. According to his former colleagues, he held a variety of posts in the Delhi administration, including commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Mehta was cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Monday.