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 recently, 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.

A certification issued by the Embassy of India in Caracas on May 22 said the Venezuelan authorities had recorded Chauhan’s cause of death as acute myocardial infarction, with bilateral pulmonary oedema and hypertensive heart disease listed as associated conditions. The document says he died on May 7 at Punto Fijo in Falcon State. It also said that the body was embalmed in accordance with national and international health standards and then flown to New Delhi.

However, the FSUI said Chauhan’s family has raised several concerns. The kin said that 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 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”.

FSUI seeks probe

The FSUI has called on the Embassy of India in Venezuela and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene urgently. It has sought the complete autopsy report from Venezuelan authorities; a thorough, independent investigation into the circumstances of Chauhan’s death and the way his remains were handled handling of his remains; and 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.