India demands probe into alleged removal of organs from seafarer’s body returned from Venezuela

The Embassy of India in Caracas has sought a thorough investigation into the case of an Indian man whose body was allegedly desecrated before it was returned to the family.

"The Embassy of India, Caracas has sought a thorough investigation by Venezuelan authorities on the desecration and removal of organs of the mortal remains of late Shri. Rakesh Chauhan. Mission has continued to pursue this matter with the concerned local authorities since the incident came to light," the embassy said in a post on X.

The family of the 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.

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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.

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.