KEONJHAR, INDIA: A shocking incident in India’s eastern Odisha state has triggered nationwide outrage after a man reportedly carried the skeletal remains of his deceased sister to a bank in a desperate attempt to prove her death and withdraw her savings.
The disturbing episode unfolded in Keonjhar district, where 52-year-old Jitu Munda brought the remains of his sister, Kalara, to a local bank after repeated attempts to access money she had deposited before her death allegedly failed due to lack of official documentation.
A video showing Munda carrying a bundle of skeletal remains wrapped in a sack and placing it outside the bank went viral on social media this week, drawing widespread condemnation and reigniting debate over bureaucratic barriers faced by poor and rural families.
According to Munda, his 56-year-old sister had returned to her maternal home after losing her husband and son and had been working as a daily wage laborer. Months before her death, she reportedly sold livestock and deposited around 19,300 Indian rupees in her account.
Following her death earlier this year, Munda said he made several visits to the branch to retrieve the funds but was repeatedly asked for proof of death and legal heirship documents.
Frustrated by the delays, he said he took the drastic step of exhuming her remains to demonstrate she had indeed died.
“When the manager kept asking for proof and would not listen, I brought the skeleton to show my sister was dead,” he told media.
Police confirmed the remains had been exhumed and later returned to the burial ground after officials intervened.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of challenges many rural Indians face in navigating banking procedures, particularly when deceased account holders have not named nominees. In such cases, heirs often need death certificates and succession documents, a process that can be lengthy and difficult in remote areas.
However, the bank denied ever asking Munda to physically prove his sister’s death.
The Indian Overseas Bank, which oversees Odisha Grameen Bank where the incident occurred, said reports suggesting staff demanded the deceased’s presence were false.
In a statement, the bank said Munda had been informed of the legally required process but failed to provide necessary documents. It also alleged he initially arrived at the branch in an intoxicated state and later returned with the remains, describing the development as distressing.
Branch manager Sushant Kumar Sethi also contested parts of Munda’s account, saying he had earlier told bank staff his sister was paralyzed and unable to visit, prompting officials to offer a home visit.
He added other legal heirs had also approached the bank, requiring documentation before the money could be released.
The case has drawn reaction from authorities at the highest provincial level.
Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said an investigation had been launched and action would be taken against the branch manager if misconduct was established.
The Keonjhar district administration expressed “deep concern,” emphasizing that protecting citizens’ dignity and rights remained a priority.
Following public backlash and official intervention, authorities reportedly issued a death certificate and legal heir documentation within days, while the bank confirmed the funds had been released to the family.
Officials have also provided Munda with 30,000 rupees in assistance.
The incident has sparked broader debate across India about accessibility of public services and the hardships marginalized citizens often endure to claim basic entitlements, with many seeing the episode as a stark symbol of bureaucratic insensitivity.
