An elderly man in eastern India shocked bank officials and customers after exhuming his late sister’s remains to prove her death and access funds in her account.
The incident occurred in the Malipasi area of Keonjhar district in Odisha, where Jitu Munda, a resident of Dianali village, had approached a branch of Odisha Grameen Bank to withdraw about Rs 20,000 belonging to his late sister, Kalara Munda, who died on January 26.
Bank officials, however, requested proper documentation before processing the withdrawal.
Frustrated by repeated unsuccessful visits and lacking an understanding of banking procedures, Munda dug up his sister’s skeleton and brought it to the bank as proof of her death, leaving onlookers stunned.
“I told them she had died, but they did not listen. They kept saying, bring the account holder to withdraw the money. Out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought her skeleton as proof that she is no more,” he said.
The incident prompted intervention from the local police division. A police official, Kiran Prasad Sahu, said the situation exposed a gap in communication between the bank and the claimant.
“Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not understand what a legal heir or nominee means. The bank officials failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from a deceased person’s account,” Sahu said.
Following the intervention, bank officials assured that the process would be facilitated in accordance with due procedures.
The remains were later returned and reburied under police supervision.
Authorities said the situation was further complicated because the nominee on the account had also died, leaving Munda as the sole surviving claimant.
Local officials have since promised to assist him in obtaining the necessary legal heir certificate and other required documents to access the funds lawfully.
