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."
Posts
