In a shocking incident, the body of an Indian sailor, 33-year-old Rakesh Chauhan, who died in Venezuela, was repatriated without his internal organs, according to his family members. Chauhan reportedly died of cardiac arrest in the South American country over a month ago.
The family made the shocking discovery after they conducted a second autopsy on Chauhan’s body. According to the report, several vital organs were missing, including the brain, heart, both lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines, thyroid, hyoid, larynx, and trachea. Following this, the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) intervened in the matter and has demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to reports quoting FSUI, the body had numerous stitches. These were 22 stitches from the neck to the pubic symphysis and 21 stitches from ear to ear. The post-mortem revealed no obvious signs of injury before death. It also stated that the body had been kept in a deep freezer for approximately a month. The actual cause of death could not be ascertained due to the disappearance of all major organs.
Following this incident, the FSUI raised serious questions about the role of Venezuelan authorities. They demand an impartial investigation into the entire matter and accountability for those responsible. They also demanded that the Indian Embassy in Venezuela immediately intervene, disclose the full post-mortem report and the circumstances of the death, and provide justice and appropriate compensation to the family.
The family also alleged that the authorities did not provide the detailed post-mortem report, which could have shed light on the circumstances leading to his death.
