An Indian seafarer’s suspicious death in Venezuela is making headlines after his body was repatriated from the South American country in an unusual condition, almost a month after the demise. The man, identified as 33-year-old Rakesh Chauhan, allegedly suffered a cardiac arrest in May. As per Chauhan’s family, when the body arrived in India, it was discovered that several of his internal organs were missing.

Following the shocking reveal, the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) swung into action and asked for an investigation in the case

"Family demanded a re-autopsy. The official Post-Mortem Report conducted in India reveals a horrifying truth: NOT A SINGLE ORGAN was found in the body. Brain -- Missing, Heart -- Missing, Both Lungs -- Missing, Liver, Kidneys, Spleen, Pancreas, Stomach, Intestines --ALL Missing, Thyroid, Hyoid, Larynx and Trachea -- Missing," FSUI posted on X.

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"Body showed extensive prior stitching (22 stitches neck to pubic symphysis + 21 stitches ear to ear). No antemortem injuries noted. Body kept in deep freeze for nearly a month. Cause of death: Could not be determined (all organs absent)," FSUI added.

FSUI further raised the issue of sailors’ safety abroad. "This is unacceptable. Seafarers are becoming scapegoats. We demand a full investigation and accountability from Venezuelan authorities, immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy in Venezuela, [and a] complete autopsy report, circumstances of death, and justice + compensation for the family," FSUI posted.

What Chauhan’s Family Revealed

Chauhan belonged to Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria. He was sent by a company named Xfinity to Venezuela on a merchant navy ship in November 2025.

As per the family, the company officials informed them that Chauhan was undergoing treatment after falling on the ship. The family was informed the next day that he would likely not survive. Soon after, the company told the family that Chauhan had died of serious injuries.

The family was told that Chauhan’s body will be sent back within a week; however, it arrived on June 4.

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Shocking Details Of Post-Mortem

A post-mortem was held after order from the Deoria District Magistrate (DM). As per the report, Chauhan had 22 stitches from his neck to the pubic area indicating that an autopsy had already been done. Apart from this, his body had turned blue.

"Both eyes and mouth close, incision and stitched present from (Chauhan's) neck to pubic symphysis (22 stitches present), length 60cm present, incision and stitched present from left ear to right earin occipital region (21 stitches present) length 20cm, body blue in colour peeling of in some part of body, body kept in deep freezes from 07-05-2026 to 05-06-2026,” the post-mortem stated, as per an NDTV report.

"Cranium and spinal cord (Brain must be exposed in every case. Spinal cord need not be examined except in case of injury to vertebral column/Spinal cord)," it noted.

Chauhan's meninges and vessels were also found absent during the post-mortem. Brain, Thyroid, hyoid bone, larynx and trachea, pleura (cavity), his heart, both lungs, pericardium, large blood vessels, coronary arteries, both large and small intestines, stomach, gall bladder, kidneys and spleen were also missing


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