The family of a 33-year-old Indian seafarer, whose body was repatriated from Venezuela after he died while serving on a merchant vessel, has sought a high-level investigation after a post-mortem examination in Uttar Pradesh allegedly found several internal organs missing.
The Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India (FSUI) has also termed the matter serious and demanded accountability from the Venezuelan authorities and immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy.
Rakesh Chauhan, a resident of Langra Bazar Tola in the Deoria district, travelled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member on a merchant ship through a private company.
According to his family, the company informed them in May this year that Chauhan had sustained serious injuries after a fall and was undergoing treatment.
The next morning, they were told that his chances of survival were only five per cent, and later the same day, they were informed of his death.
However, suspicions grew after his body was repatriated to India.
According to the Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India (FSUI), Chauhan’s body arrived without detailed medical records or a comprehensive post-mortem report from Venezuelan authorities. Concerned by the lack of documentation, the family requested a second post-mortem in India
A fresh examination was carried out only after the District Magistrate issued an order.
According to the report, the body had 22 stitches along a 60-cm incision extending from the neck to the pubic region, and 21 stitches across a 20-cm incision running from one ear to the other across the back of the head.
It also noted that the body had been kept in deep freeze between May 7 and June 5 and showed signs of skin peeling.
The examination allegedly found that several vital organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines, spleen and gall bladder, were missing, along with other internal tissues.
The case is now being closely monitored by maritime welfare bodies, while the family awaits answers and the MEA is expected to examine the matter.
