India has formally requested Venezuelan authorities to conduct an urgent investigation into allegations that the body of a deceased Indian sailor was desecrated, with all vital organs reportedly removed. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on Friday that the matter has been taken up at the highest levels.
MEA Confirms Diplomatic Intervention
Responding to media queries, Jaiswal stated, "We have taken up the matter with Venezuelan authorities with a request to urgently investigate the matter. So, we'll keep you updated in that regard." The statement came after the family of sailor Rakesh Chauhan alleged that his body arrived in India with no internal organs.
Indian Embassy Seeks Thorough Probe
The Indian Embassy in Caracas issued a statement on Thursday, July 2, 2026, demanding a thorough investigation. "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 embassy said.
Family Alleges Suspicious Death
Chauhan's wife, Ranjana, spoke to ANI on Thursday, alleging that her husband died under suspicious circumstances in Venezuela. "My husband had gone to work on a ship; he was murdered there, and his organs were removed. To this day, they haven't given us a proper report, despite our repeated requests. They didn't even return his personal belongings; they wouldn't even speak to us properly; the company representatives were dismissive," she said.
Ranjana added that the family initially waited for the body to arrive in India and later decided to conduct a second post-mortem. "When we had a second post-mortem done here, the report revealed that not a single organ remained in the body. We lodged complaints everywhere, with the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi and other relevant authorities, but nothing came of it... I last spoke to him on 6 May... I think it was only two or three hours after he left for duty that my father-in-law received a call saying there had been an accident and that they were taking him to the hospital," she added.
Union Reports Missing Organs
The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) also raised the issue, claiming that the post-mortem conducted in India found no internal organs in Chauhan's body. According to the union, the brain, heart, both lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines, thyroid, hyoid bone, larynx, and trachea were all reportedly missing.
In a statement, the FSUI said, "SHOCKING CASE -- Indian Seafarer Rakesh Chauhan 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 India reveals a horrifying truth: NOT A SINGLE ORGAN was found in the body."
Documentation Irregularities Alleged
The FSUI also alleged irregularities in the documentation related to the return of Chauhan's mortal remains. "The receipt for mortal remains was forged -- signed in the name of 'Anjana Chauraisya' instead of 'Ranjana Chaurasiya' (on behalf of his wife). The vessel name mentioned in the employment agreement does not match the vessel where he was actually posted," it said.
The union urged the Embassy of India in Venezuela and the MEA to intervene urgently. The MEA has assured that it will keep the public updated as the investigation progresses.
