Skeleton Shock In Odisha: Man Carries Sister’s Remains To Bank, Sparks Outrage

A deeply disturbing incident in Odisha’s Keonjhar district has triggered widespread outrage after a tribal man exhumed his sister’s remains and carried her skeleton to a rural bank in a desperate attempt to withdraw money from her account.

The shocking episode has raised serious questions about procedural barriers , lack of awareness , and gaps in communication at the grassroots level, even as Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) , the sponsor of the Odisha Grameen Bank, maintained that its staff had only asked for valid documents.

The incident involves Jeetu Munda (50), a resident of Dianali village, who was trying to withdraw ₹19,300 from the account of his deceased sister, Kalra Munda, at the Maliposi branch. According to Munda, he had visited the bank multiple times but failed to access the money, claiming officials insisted that he bring his sister to the branch.

Frustrated and confused , and allegedly unable to understand the formal requirements, Munda exhumed his sister’s body and carried the skeleton on his shoulder to the bank premises. The sight alarmed staff, who alerted the police. The remains were later reburied following intervention by local authorities.

Police officials said Munda is illiterate and unaware of procedures such as legal heir certification or nominee-based withdrawals, which are mandatory in such cases. They indicated that the situation was aggravated by a communication gap , as bank officials may not have adequately explained the process in a manner he could understand.

Responding to the outrage, IOB clarified that its branch staff had not asked for the physical presence of the deceased , but had instead requested standard documents, including a death certificate and proper authorisation, as per banking rules. The bank further claimed that Munda, reportedly in an inebriated state, created a distressing situation by bringing human remains to the branch after being informed of the requirements.

The episode has drawn sharp political reactions. Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari termed it a case of “lack of humanitarian approach” , asserting that officials responsible would face action. The opposition also criticised the state government, pointing out that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi represents the Keonjhar constituency.

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , calling the incident evidence of “harsh insensitivity” in rural banking systems and urging simplification of procedures to ensure dignity for the poor.

Officials revealed that Munda had not applied for a death certificate or a legal heir certificate prior to visiting the bank, further complicating the process. The nominee for the account was also deceased, making Munda the sole claimant but without formal documentation.

In response to the backlash, the Keonjhar district administration stepped in with immediate relief, providing ₹30,000 from the District Red Cross Fund. Authorities also coordinated with the bank to release ₹19,402, including interest, to Munda.

A formal application for the death certificate has now been submitted, and a detailed inquiry into the incident is underway.

While the immediate crisis has been resolved, the episode has exposed how bureaucratic procedures, low financial literacy, and inadequate last-mile communication can combine to produce tragic and avoidable outcomes, raising urgent questions about accessibility and empathy in rural banking systems.