Odisha, India : In a deeply disturbing incident that has raised concerns over awareness of banking procedures in rural areas, a Indian man in Odisha allegedly exhumed his deceased sister’s remains and carried them to a bank to prove her death while attempting to withdraw money from her account.
The man, identified as Jeetu Munda, reportedly took the extreme step after repeated attempts to access approximately ₹20,000 (around $211) from the account of his sister, Kalra Munda, who passed away in January at the age of 56.
According to reports, Munda claimed he was repeatedly asked by bank staff to provide proof of the account holder’s death.
Frustrated by his inability to meet documentation requirements, he dug up her grave and brought the remains to a branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar district.
“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.” Munda said
“Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug up the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death.” he added
Local authorities said the incident highlights a gap in awareness and communication.
“Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person’s account.” Police official Kiran Prasad Sahu explained,
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The situation caused panic among bank staff and customers before police intervened. Following the incident, authorities assisted Munda in completing the withdrawal process through proper legal channels, and the remains were reburied under supervision.
Meanwhile, the bank’s chairman Rishi Singh described the episode as “deeply unfortunate,” while maintaining that staff had followed standard procedures and had advised the man to provide documents such as a death certificate and legal heir certification.
No charges have been filed against Munda so far. The incident has sparked wider discussions about financial literacy, access to documentation, and the need for better communication between institutions and vulnerable communities in rural India.
