Man in Odisha carries sister’s skeleton to bank, sparks outrage

A video and images showing a tribal man carrying his sister’s exhumed skeleton to a rural bank in Odisha’s Keonjhar district as proof of death in order to withdraw her money led to widespread public criticism and concern.

Jeetu Munda (50), from Dianali village, sought to withdraw Rs 19,300 from the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank, where his late sister Kalra Munda (56) had an account. He told the media, “I visited the bank several times. Though I informed them of my sister’s death, they kept insisting I bring her to the bank to withdraw the money in her name.”

Munda dug up his sister’s skeleton from the grave and carried it on his shoulder to the bank. Upon seeing the skeleton, the frightened bank officials immediately informed the local police. Following police intervention, the remains were taken back to the graveyard and reburied.

According to bank sources, the nominee of Kalra Munda’s account, her elder brother Raibu Munda, is also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.

Spurred into action by the widespread criticism, the Keonjhar district administration provided Munda with the death certificate of his sister and also Rs 30,000 from the District Red Cross Fund. He was also handed Rs 19,300 deposited in the bank with interest. The district administration clarified that there are three legal heirs of Kalra Munda and the amount will be shared by the three.

Netizens expressed their anger on various social media platforms over the lack of efficiency of the banking system, as well as the government stakeholders, and sought to simplify the process. Some of them also commented on the process of medical facilities during an emergency crisis. Odisha Congress’s State unit, in a social media post, said, “This is truly unfortunate. Such harassment by bank officials must stop.”

The rural bank Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) clarified that the “bank officials did not demand the physical presence of a deceased customer” for withdrawal. They sought valid documents, including the death certificate. “An individual, Mr Jitu Munda, visited the branch for the first time, requesting withdrawal from an account held in his sister’s name, Ms Kalara Munda. As per banking regulations, third-party withdrawals are not permitted without proper authorisation. Upon being informed, he stated that the account holder was deceased. Our branch manager clearly explained that in the event of death, settlement can only be processed upon submission of valid documents, including a death certificate. The individual, who was in an inebriated condition, became disruptive and later returned with human remains, reportedly exhumed after being buried a few days earlier, placing them in front of the branch and claiming it to be his sister while demanding withdrawal from her account. This created a highly distressing situation at the premises,” the bank said in a statement.

The district administration had earlier said that Jeetu Munda had not applied for a death certificate or legal heir certificate, nor had he sought assistance from the revenue inspector or any other administrative officer.

Odisha minister Suresh Pujari said there was a “lack of humanitarian approach” and the government would ensure strict action against the officials concerned, while the opposition took potshots at the BJP dispensation, pointing out that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi represents Keonjhar in the state Assembly.

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking her urgent intervention in simplifying banking procedures and ensuring the dignity for the poor trying to access their kin’s savings.