'Internal organs missing': Family cries foul in Indian seafarer's death in Venezuela

NEW DELHI: A Family came forward alleging a mystery in the death of an Indian ship worker in Venezuela. The family of Rakesh Chauhan (33), a native of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, who died in May after suffering a heart attack, came forward alleging a mystery. The family complained that none of the internal organs, including the brain, heart and lungs, were found in Rakesh's body, which was sent home. They demand an investigation into the incident.

Rakesh Chauhan arrived in Venezuela as a ship worker in November 2025. The company authorities had informed the family that Rakesh had died on board the ship last May. Initially, the family was informed that he died due to injuries sustained in a fall. However, it was later revised to say that the cause of death was a heart attack. The body was brought home a month later, on June 4.

However, the family, who became suspicious about the death, conducted a second postmortem following the order of the District Magistrate. It was in this report that it was learned that there were no internal organs in the body. The brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach, intestines, thyroid, and trachea had all been removed from the body. This led the family to suspect a mystery in the death.

The Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The FSUI alleged that there is a mystery behind the Venezuelan authorities' not handing over information on the cause of death or the postmortem report. The Federation demanded immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy in the incident and a proper investigation.