No organs in Indian seafarer’s body who died in Venezuela; family seeks probe
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New Delhi: The family of an Indian seafarer who allegedly died of a cardiac arrest in Venezuela in May has sought a thorough investigation after a re-autopsy conducted in India reportedly found that several internal organs, including the brain, heart and lungs, were missing from his body.
The deceased, 33-year-old Rakesh Chauhan from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, had travelled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member aboard a merchant navy vessel. His body was brought back to India nearly a month after his death, following which the family demanded a fresh post-mortem examination.
The issue came to light after the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding Chauhan's death and the condition in which his remains were repatriated.
In a post on X, the FSUI claimed that Chauhan's body was sent to his hometown without any autopsy report or official documentation from Venezuelan authorities explaining the cause of death.
"Family demanded a re-autopsy. The official Post-Mortem Report conducted in India reveals a horrifying truth: NOT A SINGLE ORGAN was found in the body. Brain -- Missing, Heart -- Missing, Both Lungs -- Missing, Liver, Kidneys, Spleen, Pancreas, Stomach, Intestines -- ALL Missing, Thyroid, Hyoid, Larynx and Trachea -- Missing," the organisation said.
The federation further stated that the body showed extensive stitching, including 22 stitches from the neck to the pubic symphysis and 21 stitches from ear to ear. It added that no antemortem injuries were found and that the body had been kept in deep freeze for nearly a month.
"Cause of death: Could not be determined (all organs absent)," the FSUI said.
The organisation said the condition in which Chauhan's body was returned raised serious concerns about transparency, the treatment of Indian seafarers working abroad and accountability of foreign authorities.
"This is unacceptable. Seafarers are becoming scapegoats. We demand a full investigation and accountability from Venezuelan authorities, immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy in Venezuela, complete autopsy report, circumstances of death, and justice and compensation for the family," the FSUI said.
According to Chauhan's family, the shipping company informed them about his death and assured them that his body would be repatriated within 60 days.
Family members alleged that company officials initially informed them over the phone that Chauhan had suffered injuries after falling on board the vessel and was undergoing treatment.
The next morning, they were allegedly told that there was a 95 per cent chance that he would not survive. Later the same evening, the company informed them that he had died.
When the family sought clarification, the company allegedly stated that Chauhan had succumbed to serious injuries sustained in the fall.
The family further claimed that although they were assured the body would reach India within a week, Chauhan's remains were handed over to them only on June 4, nearly a month after his death.
According to an NDTV report, a team of doctors in Deoria initially examined the body in the presence of police personnel but refused to conduct a post-mortem, saying it appeared that an autopsy had already been carried out and that a fresh examination required an official order.
A re-autopsy was later conducted following directions from the District Magistrate. During the examination, doctors reportedly found that Chauhan's internal organs were missing.
The post-mortem report prepared by doctors in Deoria stated: "Both eyes and mouth close, incision and stitched present from (Chauhan's) neck to pubic symphysis (22 stitches present), length 60 cm present, incision and stitched present from left ear to right ear in occipital region (21 stitches present), length 20 cm, body blue in colour peeling off in some part of body, body kept in deep freezes from 07-05-2026 to 05-06-2026."
The report further noted: "Cranium and spinal cord (Brain must be exposed in every case. Spinal cord need not be examined except in case of injury to vertebral column/Spinal cord)."
According to the findings, Chauhan's meninges and blood vessels were also missing. The report recorded the absence of the brain, thyroid, hyoid bone, larynx, trachea, pleural cavity, heart, both lungs, pericardium, coronary arteries, major blood vessels, stomach, intestines, gall bladder, spleen and kidneys.
Medical experts have pointed out that certain organs, including the heart, kidneys and gall bladder, can be removed during an autopsy for forensic examination.
However, the controversy has intensified as neither the Venezuelan authorities nor the shipping company has provided the family with an official autopsy report or a detailed explanation regarding the exact cause and circumstances of Chauhan's death.
The family has alleged that the lack of official documentation, along with the findings of the re-autopsy, has deepened suspicions surrounding the case.
They have demanded a detailed probe and accountability to establish the circumstances that led to the seafarer's death.
With IANS inputs