Story perspectives

Odisha Minister attacks bank demanding corpse for 20k withdrawal

4/29/2026

Summary

Munda Seeks Withdrawal

Indian Overseas Bank will settle claim to withdraw INR 20,000 from his sister’s account on priority basis after a death certificate is issued.
Jeetu Munda carried his sister’s skeleton to the branch of Odisha Grameen Bank to request withdrawal after she died January 26, but officials demanded the body before releasing funds.
Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari criticised the bank’s lack of humanitarian approach and said he will act against the officials.

Summary

Man Displays Remains

Police were summoned to the Malliposi branch after a man displayed his sister’s skeletal remains, restoring order.
The local administration began coordinating issuance of a death certificate so the claim can be settled promptly.
Indian Overseas Bank said no employee asked relatives to come to the bank, calling reports misleading.
Authorities noted the man appeared intoxicated when he created a ruckus inside the bank premises.

Summary

Munda Receives Aid

After the collector’s order, the tehsildar transferred INR19,402, including interest, to settle Jeetu Munda’s INR19,300 deposit.
The Keonjhar district administration contributed INR30,000 from the District Red Cross Fund to assist Jeetu Munda.
BJD Rajya Sabha leader Manas Ranjan Mangaraj wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urging simpler banking rules for tribal families.
The state Congress unit posted on X that bank harassment must stop, calling it “truly unfortunate.”

Summary

Munda Seeks Aid

Police Inspector-in-charge Kiran Prasad Sahu called the incident a “communication gap” and pledged to help Jeetu Munda withdraw his sister’s funds.
Munda, a 50-year-old illiterate tribal, said he did not understand the legal heir or nominee concepts for the account.
Bank officials demanded the deceased’s physical presence and did not explain alternative withdrawal procedures.
Authorities said the bank’s unclear guidance led to Munda’s extreme action, highlighting challenges for tribal communities.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the Reserve Bank of India introduced the Banking Ombudsman Scheme to resolve bank-customer grievances; between 2002 and 2006 it handled about 36,000 complaints, and a 2006 amendment updated the scheme. The recent incident at an Odisha Grameen Bank branch, involving Jeetu Munda, echoes the scheme’s original purpose of protecting vulnerable depositors.

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Munda Seeks Withdrawal

Indian Overseas Bank will settle claim to withdraw INR 20,000 from his sister’s account on priority basis after a death certificate is issued.
Jeetu Munda carried his sister’s skeleton to the branch of Odisha Grameen Bank to request withdrawal after she died January 26, but officials demanded the body before releasing funds.
Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari criticised the bank’s lack of humanitarian approach and said he will act against the officials.

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