A shocking incident has emerged from Odisha, where a man allegedly exhumed his late sister’s skeletal remains and brought them to a bank in a desperate attempt to access her savings.
The incident occurred in Keonjhar district at the Mallipasi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank. The man, identified as 59-year-old Jitu Munda, reportedly carried the remains in a plastic sack over a distance of about three kilometres before placing them outside the bank premises.
According to officials, Jitu took the drastic step after repeated attempts to withdraw ₹20,000 from the account of his late sister, Kalra Munda, were unsuccessful. She had died on January 26, but the bank declined access to the funds due to the absence of a registered nominee or verified legal heir documentation.
Bank officials maintained that proper procedures must be followed before any withdrawal could be approved, including the submission of a legal heir certificate. However, authorities noted that Jitu, who is reportedly uneducated, did not fully understand these requirements.
Frustrated by the situation, he exhumed his sister’s remains to “prove” her death and compel the bank to release the funds.
The incident caused alarm among bank staff and residents, prompting immediate intervention by the police. Officers from the Odisha Police arrived at the scene, calmed the situation, and explained the legal process required to access the account.
Inspector Kiran Prasad Sahu stated that the man’s actions stemmed from a lack of awareness about banking and legal procedures. He also noted that the bank may have failed to adequately communicate the requirements.
Police subsequently took custody of the skeletal remains and ensured they were reburied respectfully.
Authorities advised Jitu to obtain the necessary legal heir certificate from the appropriate local office, which would enable him to legitimately access his late sister’s funds.
The incident has sparked concern over financial literacy and access to basic banking information in rural communities, highlighting the need for clearer communication between institutions and vulnerable populations.
