Amid rising concerns regarding circumstances of his death,the relatives of Rakesh Chauhan, an Indian seafarer who tragically passed away in Venezuela, are pressing for the comprehensive autopsy documentation. The situation has escalated, prompting the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) to highlight the family's serious allegations about the case's management and the need for prompt action from officials.
Chauhan died on May 7 in Punto Fijo, located in Falcon State. his demise resulted from acute myocardial infarction along with other medical issues. An official document issued by the embassy dated May 22 indicated that health protocols were followed in embalming his body prior to its return to New Delhi .
Nevertheless, his family has voiced profound concerns,claiming that critical organs were extracted from Chauhan's remains without their consent or knowledge . They also reported being left uninformed about significant developments until they initiated plans for a re-examination in India. Adding to their distress,the receipt for his remains allegedly featured a falsified signature attributed to Chauhan’s spouse. Further complicating matters,disparities have come to light regarding the ship mentioned in his employment contract,which does not align with the vessel he was actually aboard.
In response to these troubling discrepancies, FSUI has raised alarms over possibility of foul play and a potential cover-up. The union is calling upon both the Indian Embassy in Venezuela and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take immediate and decisive measures. Their demands include full autopsy report from Venezuelan authorities, an independent probe into the events surrounding Chauhan’s death, and accountability for how his remains were handled. FSUI is also seeking justice and appropriate compensation for the family mourning his loss.
As it stands, neither the Indian Embassy in Venezuela nor the MEA has publicly addressed these serious allegations .
