The Embassy of India in Caracas has formally requested Venezuelan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged desecration and removal of organs from the body of late Rakesh Chauhan, a 33-year-old Indian seafarer from Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh, who reportedly died in Venezuela in May 2025. The case has triggered deep alarm after a re-autopsy conducted in India allegedly found multiple vital organs missing from the repatriated remains.

What the Embassy Said

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy stated: '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 Mission confirmed it has been in continuous contact with local Venezuelan authorities since the incident first surfaced.

The Family's Allegations

Chauhan had travelled to Venezuela in November 2025 as a crew member aboard a merchant navy vessel. He reportedly died allegedly due to cardiac arrest. His body was repatriated to India nearly a month after his death — without, according to his family, any autopsy report or official documentation from Venezuelan authorities explaining the cause of death.

A re-autopsy conducted in India, according to the family, revealed that multiple vital organs — including the brain, heart and lungs — were absent from the body. The remains also bore extensive stitching marks, raising serious questions about what occurred after death.

What the Seafarers' Union Claimed

The Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) has demanded a comprehensive investigation into both the circumstances of Chauhan's death and the handling of his remains. In a statement posted on X, the federation alleged that the post-mortem conducted in India revealed 'a horrifying truth' — that not a single organ was found in the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines.

The FSUI termed the situation 'unacceptable', calling for full accountability, transparency and a detailed probe by Venezuelan authorities. It also urged immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy in Caracas, along with the release of complete autopsy records and clarity on the cause of death.

Broader Concerns for Indian Seafarers

The case has cast a spotlight on the vulnerability of Indian maritime workers employed on vessels operating in distant and diplomatically complex jurisdictions. India has a significant seafarer workforce deployed globally, and this incident has renewed calls for stronger documentation protocols, welfare safeguards and consular oversight when crew members die abroad.

This comes amid growing scrutiny of the mechanisms — or lack thereof — that govern the repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who die overseas, particularly in countries with limited bilateral legal frameworks with India. As diplomatic pressure mounts, the Venezuelan response to the Embassy's request will be closely watched.