Missing organs in Indian seafarer’s body spark probe demand after repatriation from Venezuela

The family of a 33-year-old Indian seafarer whose body was repatriated from Venezuela has sought a high-level investigation after a second post-mortem in Uttar Pradesh allegedly found several major internal organs missing, raising questions over the circumstances of his death.

Rakesh Chauhan, a resident of Langra Bazar Tola in Deoria district, had travelled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member on a merchant vessel through a private company, according to his family.

They said the company informed them in May that Chauhan had suffered serious injuries after a fall aboard the vessel and was receiving treatment. The following morning, they were told his chances of survival were only five per cent, before being informed later the same day that he had died.

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The company attributed the death to injuries sustained in the fall and assured the family that his body would be returned to India within a week. However, the body reached his hometown about a month later, in June.

Family members said doctors initially refused to conduct another autopsy, stating that a post-mortem had already been performed abroad and a fresh examination required permission from the competent authority.

A second post-mortem was carried out two days ago on the orders of the district magistrate.

Chief Medical Superintendent, Deoria Medical College, Dr HK Mishra said that according to the post-mortem report, several major internal organs, including the brain, heart, both lungs, liver, both kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines, were missing. The report also noted that the thyroid, hyoid bone, larynx and trachea were missing.

The report further recorded a stitched incision extending about 60 cm from the neck to the pubic region and another stitched incision of about 20 cm across the back of the head. It said the exact cause of death could not be ascertained due to the absence of internal organs.

Rakesh Chauhan’s father, Ramdev Chauhan, alleged that the family was kept in the dark about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death. He claimed that no post-mortem report or official documents relating to the examination conducted abroad had been provided to them.

He demanded an impartial investigation by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, action against the company concerned and strict punishment for those found responsible.

In a statement posted on X, the Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India said the body had been sent to India without the post-mortem report and other mandatory documents.

It demanded that the Venezuelan authorities be held accountable, the Indian Embassy intervene immediately, the complete post-mortem report be made public, the circumstances leading to the seafarer’s death be thoroughly investigated, and the bereaved family be provided justice and adequate compensation.

With inputs from agencies