Indian Sailor's Body Returned from Venezuela Raises Concerns

The family of Rakesh Chauhan, an Indian sailor who died while on duty in Venezuela, has raised serious concerns regarding the condition of his body upon its return to India. Chauhan passed away in May, and nearly a month later, his remains arrived back in India, prompting a troubling revelation. An autopsy performed by a local team uncovered that vital organs, including his brain, heart, kidneys, and lungs, were missing.

This alarming discovery has led the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) to question the circumstances surrounding the transport of Chauhan's body. The union has called for a comprehensive investigation, especially since no autopsy report had been released by Venezuelan authorities prior to the body’s return.

Rakesh Chauhan, aged 33, was a marine fitter who resided in Mumbai with his wife, young son, father, and brother. Originally hailing from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, he had joined the Merchant Navy in November 2025. The sequence of events leading to his death began when his father received a call from the company indicating that Rakesh had fallen on board the ship due to dizziness. The next day, the company informed the family that Rakesh’s condition was critical, with a slim chance of survival; later that evening, they were told he had passed away, reportedly from a heart attack.

Questions surrounding the case burgeoned following the revelation that all of Chauhan's internal organs were absent from his body. A long statement released on X by the FSUI raised several queries, demanding answers regarding the removal of vital organs without family consent, the lack of transparent communication, and discrepancies in documentation associated with the transport of the body. The family was allegedly kept in the dark about the initial autopsy conducted abroad, leading them to arrange a second autopsy in India at the direction of local authorities.

The findings from the second autopsy revealed that Chauhan's body had been subjected to significant stitching, with 22 stitches noted across various regions. Despite the examination, the absence of internal organs has rendered it impossible to ascertain the precise cause of death through forensic analysis.

Family members have expressed disbelief and outrage at these developments, particularly in light of the significant financial investment they made to support Chauhan’s maritime career, hoping it would improve their living conditions. Ranjana, Chauhan’s wife, is currently staying with her family and is actively engaging with the Indian Embassy to demand action regarding the case.

The FSUI has reiterated its call for justice and accountability not only for Chauhan's family but also for all seafarers, stating, 'Seafarers' lives and dignity cannot be treated with such callousness.' The union seeks transparency and appropriate compensation for the family as part of ongoing efforts to address the situation.

As of now, the Indian authorities have yet to provide further updates regarding the investigation or the involvement of the Indian Embassy in Venezuela on this distressing matter.