Tribal Man Exhumes Sister’s Remains to Withdraw Savings in Odisha

On 27 April 2026, Jeetu Munda, a 50-year-old tribal resident of Dianali village, exhumed his sister Kalara Munda’s remains and walked three kilometres to the Mallipasi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank to prove her death and withdraw her savings.

Odisha Man Carries Sister’s Skeleton to Bank, Sparks Outrage Over Procedures

Indian banking rules require a death certificate and, when the nominee is also deceased, proof of legal heirship before a third-party can access a deceased account holder’s funds.

Odisha man carries sister’s skeleton to bank after staff say 'bring account holder'

Kalara Munda died on 26 Jan 2026. Jeetu repeatedly visited the Mallipasi branch in early April. On 27 Apr he brought the remains; police intervened and re-buried them. On 28 Apr Minister Suresh Pujari ordered a probe and action against branch manager. On 29 Apr authorities issued death and legal-heir certificates and INR30,000 aid.

Odisha Shock: Man Carries Sister’s Skeleton to Bank in Keonjhar, Raising Questions Over Pension and Dignity

The account held INR19,300 (? $203). After the incident the bank released INR19,402, including interest, to the legal heirs. The district administration also provided INR30,000 as emergency assistance.

Man receives full bank deposit and Rs20k Red Cross aid after carrying sister’s skeleton to bank

The episode highlights how statutory documentation requirements can impede low-literacy, low-income customers in remote areas, raising concerns about the effectiveness of financial-inclusion programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

Skeleton fallout from bank cupboard

Indian Overseas Bank said staff only required a death certificate and legal-heir documents, not deceased’s presence, and would settle. Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced a probe and action against branch manager. Manas Ranjan Mangaraj wrote to Nirmala Sitharaman urging simplification of succession rules for small accounts.

Odisha Man Carries Sister’s Skeleton to Bank, Sparks Outrage Over Procedures

Opposition condemned the bank’s handling as harassment. Users demanded verification, saying officials could have confirmed the death without a presence. Rajya Sabha leader Manas Ranjan Mangaraj called incident evidence of ‘harsh insensitivity’ in rural banking.

Odisha tribal man taking sister’s skeleton to bank sparks outrage

Inspector Kiran Prasad Sahu said Munda was unaware of heir procedures; authorities retrieved the remains for re-burial. Residents expressed shock and called for better communication.

Tribal Man from Odisha Digs Up Sister’s Skeletal Remains After Bank Asked Him to Bring Account Holder, Says He Acted Out of Frustration

Reports differ on whether the bank demanded the deceased’s presence; the bank says only documents were required. Munda’s statements vary, with some claiming staff asked for his sister’s presence, while the branch manager says he was told to provide legal-heir paperwork.

BBC News

• "When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated." — Jeetu Munda, tribal resident.

Tribal Man from Odisha Digs Up Sister’s Skeletal Remains After Bank Asked Him to Bring Account Holder, Says He Acted Out of Frustration

• "I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name." — Jeetu Munda, via translator.

Tribal Man from Odisha Digs Up Sister’s Skeletal Remains After Bank Asked Him to Bring Account Holder, Says He Acted Out of Frustration

• "The death certificate was not sufficient for the bank officials, and the man had to dig out a skeleton from the grave to prove that the account holder was dead." — Suresh Pujari, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister.

Man taking sister’s skeleton to bank sparks outrage; bank says only papers sought

• "Bank officials did not demand the physical presence of a deceased customer for withdrawal." — Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) X post.

Poverty, Grief and a Bank Claim Spark Outrage as an Odisha Man Brings Sister’s Skeleton as Proof To Claim INR20,000 Balance

The district administration has opened a formal inquiry into the bank’s handling of the case. State officials have pledged to review and simplify succession documentation procedures for small rural accounts.

Skeleton Shock In Odisha: Man Carries Sister’s Remains To Bank, Sparks Outrage