Indian Carries Sister’s Skeleton to Bank to Prove Death

A man in eastern India carried the skeletal remains of his sister to a bank after repeated attempts to withdraw her savings failed, triggering widespread outrage and drawing national attention to bureaucratic hurdles faced by rural families.

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The incident took place earlier this week in Keonjhar district in the eastern state of Odisha. Video footage circulating online showed 52-year-old Jitu Munda arriving at a bank with a sack containing his sister’s remains and placing it outside the building.

Munda later told BBC Hindi he had taken the drastic step out of frustration after bank officials repeatedly asked him for proof that his sister had died.

Local police said Munda had exhumed the remains before bringing them to the bank.

Dispute over bank procedures

The bank involved, Odisha Grameen Bank, denied asking Munda to present the deceased in person. It said staff had only requested documents required by law to release the funds.

The bank is operated by Indian Overseas Bank, which said reports suggesting staff demanded the physical presence of the dead woman were incorrect.

In a statement, the bank said the situation appeared to have arisen from a lack of awareness of official procedures. It also alleged that Munda first arrived at the branch in an intoxicated state and behaved disruptively, later returning with the remains.

Branch manager Sushant Kumar Sethi told BBC Hindi that Munda had earlier claimed his sister was paralysed and unable to visit the bank. According to Sethi, staff had offered to visit her at home, but later learned she had died.

The manager also said other relatives had come forward as legal heirs and were asked to submit the necessary documentation before the funds could be released.

Officials order investigation

The video prompted strong reactions on social media and criticism of local authorities and the bank, with many pointing to the challenges rural families face when dealing with official procedures.

Suresh Pujari said the case was under investigation and that action would be taken against the branch manager over his alleged conduct.

The Keonjhar district administration said it had “deep concern” about the incident and stressed that protecting the dignity and rights of citizens remained a priority.

Sister’s savings and legal hurdles

Munda said the dispute began after the death of his 56-year-old sister, Kalara, earlier this year.

According to him, she had worked as a daily wage labourer and had returned to her maternal home following the deaths of her husband and son.

A few months before she died, Kalara sold her livestock and deposited about 19,300 rupees (around $203) in the bank.

Munda said he visited the branch several times after her death but could not access the funds.

“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated,” he said. “I brought the skeleton to show that she had died.”

In India, when a bank account holder dies without naming a nominee, relatives must submit documents such as a death certificate and proof of legal heirship before the money can be released. Obtaining these documents can take time, particularly in rural areas where access to administrative services is limited.

Case resolved after backlash

Following the public reaction, local authorities intervened and persuaded Munda to return the remains to the burial site.

Officials also assured him that the issue would be addressed and offered him 30,000 rupees in assistance.

By Wednesday, authorities had issued both a death certificate and legal heir documentation. The bank said the funds had since been handed over to the woman’s family members.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 April 2026