Brain, heart, lungs missing: Shocking details emerge as Indian sailor's body repatriated from Venezuela, family demands probe
PTC News Desk: The death of an Indian sailor in Venezuela has become more mysterious after his body was brought back to India. The family of 33-year-old Rakesh Chauhan claims that several of his internal organs, including the brain, heart and lungs, were missing. Following these allegations, the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) has called for a detailed investigation into the circumstances of his death.
In a post on X, FSUI said that Chauhan's body was sent to his hometown in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, without any autopsy report or official information from Venezuelan authorities. The union said the condition of the body has raised serious concerns about transparency, the treatment of Indian workers abroad, and the role of foreign authorities 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," the post read.
"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)," it added.
⚠️ SHOCKING CASE — Indian Seafarer #RakeshChauhan reported dead in #Venezuela.
Mortal remains sent back to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh without any autopsy report or details from Venezuelan authorities.
Family demanded re-autopsy. The official Post-Mortem Report conducted in… pic.twitter.com/4dGSZtPEfp — FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) June 30, 2026
Chauhan, who lived in Lagda Bazar Tola in Deoria, had travelled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member on a merchant navy ship. He had been sent there by the company Xfinity.
His family said they were informed by the company that he had died, allegedly due to a cardiac arrest, and were told that his body would be returned to India within 60 days.
"We were kept in the dark. An initial post-mortem had already been conducted, but a second one – ordered by the district magistrate – revealed that organs were missing from the body, and the cause of death could not be determined. We demand that the government take action against the company and conduct an investigation," the sailor's father, Ram Dev Chauhan, said.
- With inputs from agencies
