THE family of an Australian man found dead in India say a growing number of foreign tourists are being murdered and the crimes covered up by authorities there.
At least 10 Australians have been murdered or feared murdered in violent attacks in India since 1999, with claims that up to 200 westerners have been killed. In what is expected to further heighten tension between India and Australia, the families of dead Australians say the subcontinent nation is hypocritical in attacking Victorian authorities and are calling for an investigation by the Rudd Government.
They are also issuing their own travel warning to Australians planning to visit India, saying they are "taking their lives into their own hands".
Melbourne disability pensioner Michael Osborne was found dead in a guest house near the city of Patna with his bank account empty and most of his belongings gone less than three weeks into a dream visit to India last June.
Indian police initially said the death was due to a drug overdose but when pushed for detail twice changed their story, saying he died from injuries sustained from a fall and finally that the death was caused by zinc phosphate poisoning.
Patna police told the Australian High Commission in New Delhi the death was not suspicious and that there were "no apparent external injuries to Michael's body".
But a post mortem report reveals the body had a catalogue of injuries, including brain haemorrhaging, an abdomen cavity "full of blood", scratches and abrasions on his left arm, elbow, wrist and leg and right side of his chest and hip.
It said: "All abrasions caused by hand and blunt object."
Osborne's brother Laurie believes he was beaten to death and has not ruled out a racial motive. But Indian and Australian authorities appeared to have closed the book on the case, he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not say how many Australians had been killed in India. But the Tourist Justice and Safety in India group, set up by families of murder victims, have listed 10.
The Indian media has recently painted Melbourne as a racist city and condemned a string of violent attacks against Indian students.
But Laurie Osborne said his brother's death was the latest in a line of attacks against Australians being swept under the carpet by Indian authorities.
"We want to warn Australians going over to India that they are in danger," he said.
"Especially if they are going by themselves. Indians jump up and down and say that Australians are attacking Indians but look at what they are doing to Australians."
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