Rakesh Mehta Death: For years, Rakesh Mehta worked behind the scenes as one of the senior bureaucrats responsible for changing how Delhi functioned. From power distribution and property tax reforms to public transport and preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 1975-batch IAS officer held several key administrative positions in the capital.
That long public-service career came to an end with his death in Noida on September 6, 2026. Mehta, 74, was found dead at his rented residence in Sector 82, with police recovering a one-page note that referred to his health problems. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
His death has brought renewed attention to a bureaucrat who occupied some of Delhi’s most important administrative positions during a period of rapid infrastructure development.
Who Was Rakesh Mehta?
Rakesh Mehta was a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service officer who spent much of his career working in and around Delhi’s administration.
He held several senior posts in the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi before becoming the capital’s Chief Secretary in 2007. He remained in the position until his retirement in November 2010.
As Chief Secretary, Mehta worked closely with then Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at a time when the capital was undertaking major infrastructure projects ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
His responsibilities placed him at the centre of decisions involving transport, electricity, civic services and the city’s preparations for the international sporting event.
Mehta’s Role in Delhi’s Power Reforms
One of the major chapters of Mehta’s career came when he served as Delhi’s Power Secretary.
He played an important role during the privatisation of the city’s electricity distribution system, a major administrative and economic change for Delhi.
His career also included work on civic administration and property-tax reforms. Former colleagues have credited him with supporting changes designed to make property-tax assessment more systematic and reduce opportunities for corruption.
These reforms formed part of a wider effort to modernise Delhi’s municipal and public-service systems.
How Rakesh Mehta Helped Change Delhi’s Public Transport
Transport was another important part of Mehta’s administrative career.
As Principal Secretary for Transport, he was involved in plans to replace Delhi’s accident-prone Blueline buses with safer low-floor buses.
The transition became one of the most visible changes in the capital’s public transport system. Mehta continued working on transport-related issues after becoming Chief Secretary, as Delhi expanded its bus fleet and prepared for the Commonwealth Games.
The low-floor buses also became an important part of efforts to make public transport more accessible to elderly passengers, women and people with disabilities.
Rakesh Mehta and the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Mehta became Delhi’s Chief Secretary in 2007, just three years before the city hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
That made him one of the key administrative officials responsible for coordinating the government’s work during a period of intense infrastructure development.
Delhi had to upgrade roads, public transport, power, water supply and other civic facilities before athletes and visitors arrived for the Games.
The period involved tight deadlines and pressure to complete major projects. Mehta’s position placed him at the administrative centre of that effort.
His association with the Commonwealth Games remained one of the most notable parts of his career.
His Association With Sheila Dikshit
Mehta worked closely with Sheila Dikshit, who served as Delhi Chief Minister for three consecutive terms.
Former colleagues have described him as an administrator who was open to new ideas and willing to implement major policy changes.
Former Delhi minister Arvinder Singh Lovely remembered Mehta as an efficient officer who was receptive to new policies. Lovely specifically highlighted Mehta’s role in power privatisation and the plan to replace Blueline buses with low-floor buses.
His working relationship with Dikshit’s government therefore coincided with some of the most visible infrastructure and governance changes in Delhi during the 2000s.
Mehta Also Served as MCD Commissioner
Before becoming Delhi’s Chief Secretary, Mehta served as Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
That role gave him direct responsibility for some of the capital’s most important civic issues.
His administrative career also included positions connected with transport, power and other areas of Delhi’s governance. By the time he became Chief Secretary, he had already spent years working on the city’s infrastructure and public-service challenges.
What Happened to Rakesh Mehta?
Police said Mehta was found dead at his rented flat in Kendriya Vihar-2 society in Sector 82, Noida, on September 6.
He had been living alone in the residence for around five years. His wife, also a retired IAS officer, and their son live in Dehradun, while their married daughter is based in London, according to reports.
Family members became concerned after they could not reach him by phone. Police were alerted after repeated calls went unanswered.
Police entered the flat after finding the door locked from inside. A forensic team examined the scene and collected evidence before the body was sent for postmortem examination.
Police said they recovered a one-page note in which Mehta referred to prolonged health problems and did not hold anyone responsible for his death. Reports said he had been suffering from conditions including hypertension and diabetes.
His cremation took place at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Monday.
Investigation Underway
Police have started investigating the circumstances surrounding Mehta’s death. Officials are examining the note and forensic evidence collected from the flat.
No complaint had been filed by the family at the time of the initial reports.
While the circumstances of his death have drawn attention, Mehta’s decades-long administrative career remains an important part of Delhi’s recent history.
From electricity reforms and municipal administration to public transport and the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, his career coincided with a period when Delhi underwent major changes in its infrastructure and public services.
