Family of Indian seafarer who died in Venezuela alleges cover-up, seeks autopsy report

The family of Rakesh Chauhan, an Indian seafarer who died in Venezuela, has raised a series of questions over the handling of his case and demanded release of the complete autopsy report, according to a statement issued by the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI).

In its statement, the union said the family had flagged what it called “deeply disturbing irregularities” in the case, and is seeking urgent clarification from authorities.

According to the union, the family has raised the following concerns. Vital organs were removed from Chauhan’s body without the family being informed or their consent being sought. The family was allegedly kept uninformed of developments until they themselves arranged a re-postmortem examination in India. The receipt for the mortal remains was reportedly issued with a forged signature — bearing the name “Anjana Chauraisya” instead of “Ranjana Chaurasiya,” who signed on behalf of Chauhan’s wife. The name of the vessel listed in Chauhan’s employment agreement does not match the vessel on which he was actually posted, the family has alleged.

The union said these discrepancies “raise grave suspicions of foul play and a possible cover-up,” though the specific circumstances of Chauhan’s death have not been independently established.

The FSUI has called on the Embassy of India in Venezuela and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene urgently. It has demanded securing and releasing the complete autopsy and post-mortem report from Venezuelan authorities; ordering a thorough, independent investigation into the circumstances of Chauhan’s death and the handling of his remains; and ensuring justice, accountability and adequate compensation for the bereaved family.

The Embassy of India in Venezuela and the Ministry of External Affairs have not yet issued a public response.