UP Bank apologises after 73-year-old woman with fractured hip taken on handcart to withdraw pension

A bank branch in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad has apologised after a video showing a 73-year-old woman with a fractured hip being transported on a handcart to withdraw her pension sparked widespread outrage on social media.

The elderly woman, identified as Kishan Pyari, was seen sitting on a wooden handcart under the scorching sun as she was taken to the bank branch to complete the formalities required to access her pension. The video quickly went viral, drawing criticism over the difficulties faced by senior citizens and differently abled pensioners in accessing essential banking services.

Kishan Pyari, a resident of Fatehgarh’s Hathi Khan locality, receives a family pension following the death of her husband, a retired employee of the electricity department. Due to a fractured hip, she is unable to walk, yet she reportedly had to be physically brought to the bank to withdraw her pension.

The incident triggered strong reactions online, with many questioning why an elderly and immobile pensioner had to undergo such hardship to receive benefits meant for her welfare.

Following the public backlash, the bank's branch manager acknowledged the lapse and visited the woman’s residence. He personally delivered her pension and issued an apology over the inconvenience caused.

While the bank’s response has been welcomed, the incident has reignited concerns about accessibility and support mechanisms for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable pensioners, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

The episode has also prompted renewed discussions on the need for more inclusive banking services, doorstep banking facilities, and simplified procedures for senior citizens who are unable to visit branches due to health conditions.