New Delhi, July 1: An Indian sailor tragically passed away in Venezuela due to a heart attack in May. Now, his family claims that several organs, including his brain, heart, and lungs, are missing based on the autopsy report. Following this revelation, the Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India (FSUI) has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The allegations emerged after a second autopsy was conducted on the body of 33-year-old Rakesh Chauhan from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, which was returned to India nearly a month after his death. The family reported that the re-examination revealed the absence of critical organs, raising serious questions about the handling of the body by Venezuelan authorities.
The FSUI stated that Chauhan’s body was sent back to his hometown without any autopsy report or official documentation from Venezuelan officials explaining the cause of death. “The family demanded a second autopsy. The official autopsy in India revealed a shocking truth: not a single organ was found. Brain – missing, heart – missing, both lungs – missing, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines – all missing; thyroid, hyoid, larynx, and trachea – missing,” the organization reported.
It further noted, “The body had already been stitched multiple times (22 stitches from the neck to the pubic symphysis + 21 stitches from ear to ear). No pre-death injuries were found. The body had been kept in deep freeze for nearly a month. The cause of death remains unknown (all organs were missing).”
The federation expressed that the condition in which the body was returned raises serious concerns about transparency, the treatment of Indian sailors abroad, and the accountability of foreign officials. The FSUI demanded, “This is unacceptable. Sailors are being made scapegoats. We call for a full investigation and accountability from Venezuelan authorities, immediate intervention from the Indian embassy in Venezuela, a complete autopsy report, clarification on the circumstances of death, and justice and compensation for the family.”
According to the family, Chauhan traveled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member on a merchant navy ship. They reported that the shipping company informed them of his death and assured them that his body would be returned within 60 days.
Family members allege that company officials initially told them over the phone that Chauhan had been injured after falling on the ship and was receiving treatment. The next morning, they were informed that his chances of survival were not 95 percent. That evening, the company notified them of his death. When the family sought clear information, the company claimed he died due to severe injuries from the fall.
The family also claims that the company assured them the body would arrive in India within a week, but they received Chauhan’s remains on June 4, nearly a month after his death.
An NDTV report indicated that a team of doctors in Deoria initially examined the body in the presence of police officers but refused to conduct an autopsy, stating it appeared an autopsy had already been performed and that an official order was needed for a re-examination. Later, under the orders of the district magistrate, a second autopsy was conducted, revealing that all internal organs were missing.
The autopsy report prepared by doctors in Deoria stated: “Both eyes and mouth are closed; there are incisions and stitches from the neck to the pubic symphysis (22 stitches), length 60 cm; an incision and stitches from the left ear to the right ear at the back of the head (21 stitches), length 20 cm; the body has turned blue, and skin is peeling off in some areas; the body was kept in deep freeze from May 7, 2026, to June 5, 2026.”
The report further noted, “Cranium and spinal cord (it is necessary to open the brain in every case. Examination of the spinal cord is only necessary if there is an injury to the vertebral column or spinal cord).”
According to the investigation results, Chauhan’s meninges (brain membranes) and blood vessels were missing. The report also mentioned the absence of the brain, thyroid, hyoid bone, larynx, trachea, pleural cavity, heart, both lungs, pericardium, coronary arteries, major blood vessels, stomach, intestines, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys.
Medical experts suggest that during forensic examinations, certain organs like the heart, kidneys, and gallbladder may be removed. However, the controversy has escalated because neither Venezuelan authorities nor the shipping company provided the family with an official autopsy report or detailed information regarding Chauhan’s death.
Now, the family is calling for a thorough investigation into the entire matter and accountability for those responsible, stating that only then will the circumstances of Rakesh’s death be revealed.
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