Indian sailor dies in Venezuela; family alleges internal organs missing after autopsy
An Indian merchant navy sailor died in Venezuela after an onboard fall. His family alleges internal organs were missing after an overseas autopsy
The family of an Indian sailor working in Venezuela who died on duty after suffering a serious fall on board a ship and latter a heart attack during treatment has alleged that all of his internal organs including his brain, heart and liver were found to be missing in an autopsy report.
Sailor dies in Venezuela
The deceased, Rakesh Chauhan, who was originally from Uttar Pradesh's Deoria district and lived in Mumbai with his wife, six-month-old son, father and brother was working as a marine fitter in Venezuela. He joined the Merchant Navy in November last year.
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According to a report in India Today Rakesh’s father Ramdev Chauhan was informed by the company for which he worked over phone his son had suffered a serious fall on board the ship and suffered grievous injuries. The next day, the family of the deceased were allegedly informed that that his condition has severely deteriorated and he only has a fiver per cent chance of survival.
Later in the evening they were informed that Rakesh had died. His employers claimed that he fell down due to dizziness, suffered serious injuries and died possibly due to heart attack while undergoing treatment.
Family suspects foul play
The family suspected foul play after Rakesh’s body reached India and a team of doctors who examined it said that an autopsy had already been carried out and hence they did not conduct a second one.
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Following the revelation, the Rakesh’s family alleged that they were not informed by the company that a post-mortem had already been carried out abroad. A second post-mortem was conducted upon instructions by the Deoria District Magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi.
Organs allegedly missing
The family stated that doctors who conducted the autopsy found that all of Rakesh’s internal organs were missing which made determining the exact reason behind his death impossible as there was no viscera to be examined.
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The report further stated that according to the autopsy report, Rakesh’s brain, heart, spleen, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, both kidneys, lungs and intestines, coronary arteries and urinary bladder were missing along with other organs.
The family alleged that the company had withheld important information regarding Rakesh’s death and demanded financial compensation.
FSUI raises questions
The incident led to the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) to question the transport of the body without releasing the post-mortem report or update from authorities in Venezuela.
"Serious questions that need answers: Why were vital organs removed from his body without informing the family or seeking their consent? Why was the family kept in the dark until they demanded and arranged a re-postmortem in India? The receipt for mortal remains was forged — signed in the name of 'Anjana Chauraisya' instead of 'Ranjana Chaurasiya' (on behalf of his wife),” stated the FSUI in a post on X.
“The vessel name mentioned in the employment agreement does not match the vessel where he was actually posted. These discrepancies raise grave suspicions of foul play and a possible cover-up. What is being hidden? We urge the Embassy of India in Venezuela and to intervene urgently," it added.