The dean of students welfare and head of mechanical engineering at IIT-Kanpur Professor Sameer Khandekar, died of cardiac arrest, while delivering a lecture during an alumni meet. He was 53.

He collapsed on dias while addressing the gathering on Friday, institute authorities said, reported PTI.

Former IIT-Kanpur Director Abhay Karandikar expressed shock over the sudden demise of Sameer Khandekar whom he described as an outstanding teacher and researcher. He told PTI that the Khandekar was delivering a lecture when he felt severe chest pain and started sweating profusely. After sometime, he collapsed on stage.

His body has been kept at IIT-Kanpur’s health centre and final rites would be performed only his only son Pravah Khandekar who is studying at Cambridge University arrives.