An elderly tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district shocked bank officials and customers alike when he brought the skeletal remains of his deceased sister to prove her death and claim the money in her account on Monday (April 27, 2026).
The incident occurred in the Malipasi area under the Patna block of Keonjhar. The man, identified as Jitu Munda (55), had approached the Odisha Grameen Bank to withdraw the savings of his sister, Kalara Munda of Diananali village, who had died two months earlier. Bank authorities, however, asked him to furnish the required documents before processing the claim.
Unaware of formal procedures and unable to comprehend the requirement of documentary proof, Mr. Munda exhumed his sister’s remains, placed them in a sack, and carried them to the bank as evidence. His act left customers and staff stunned.
Police from Patna police station intervened after being alerted. “The incident occurred largely due to a lack of awareness,” officials said, adding that Mr. Munda was counselled about the proper procedures for withdrawing the money. He later returned home and reburied the remains.
Authorities in the Patna block assured that Mr. Munda would be helped in securing a legal heir certificate and other documents required for claiming the money in the account. (The Hindu)
A man in India’s Odisha state exhumed his sister’s skeletal remains and carried them three kilometres to a bank after struggling to secure a death certificate. Police arrived at the scene after being alerted and subsequently reburied the remains pic.twitter.com/R6lGawMw8u
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