Updated at 10.10am on 29 April 2026 to include claim settlement by the Bank.
In a distressing incident that highlights the collision of poverty, illiteracy and procedural rigidity, a tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district brought the skeletal remains of his deceased sister to a bank, hoping it would help him access her modest savings.
The incident unfolded at the Malliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in the Patna block, where 50-year-old Jeetu Munda arrived seeking to withdraw ₹20,000 from the account of his sister, Kalra Munda, who died earlier this year.
For Munda, the money was not just a financial claim but a matter of survival. His sister, who had earned the savings through the sale of cattle, had left behind what little security the family possessed. But navigating the formal banking system proved far more complex than he could comprehend.
According to local police, Munda had approached the bank multiple times but was unable to complete the withdrawal process. Lacking awareness of legal procedures such as nominee claims, death certificates, or documentation requirements, he grew increasingly frustrated.
In an act that stunned both bank staff and onlookers, Munda exhumed his sister’s remains and brought them to the bank premises, believing that physical proof of her death would convince officials to release the money.
Police officials who intervened described him as an illiterate man unfamiliar with formal processes. They say the situation arose from a failure to communicate the correct procedure in a way he could understand. The remains were later taken back and reburied in the presence of authorities.
However, the bank has strongly refuted allegations that its staff demanded the physical presence of the deceased account holder. In a clarification, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), which sponsors Odisha Grameen Bank, the regional rural bank, says the incident has been misrepresented in sections of the media.
According to IOB, Munda had visited the branch and was informed that withdrawals from a deceased person’s account can only be processed upon submission of valid documents, including a death certificate. Officials say third-party withdrawals without proper authorisation are not permitted under banking rules.
The Bank further stated that the man returned later in a disturbed condition with human remains, creating a distressing situation that required police intervention. It emphasised that the staff's intent was to safeguard the depositor’s funds and ensure lawful settlement.
“The incident appears to have arisen due to a lack of awareness of the claim settlement process and the individual’s unwillingness to accept the procedures explained by the branch manager. The bank’s intention was to protect the interest of the poor tribal women's money in the account. There is no case of any harassment. The bank is also in continuous coordination with local authorities to obtain the death certificate. The claim will be settled on priority once the death certificate is submitted,” IOB says.
Complicating matters further, media reports indicated that the nominee listed in the account had also passed away, leaving Munda as the sole claimant. Local authorities have since stepped in, directing Odisha Grameen Bank to expedite the process once the necessary documentation is in place.
For administrators, the incident is a reminder of the deep gaps that persist between institutional systems and vulnerable communities. For Munda, it was a desperate attempt to bridge that gap in the only way he understood.
Behind the shocking visuals lies a quieter reality — of grief, poverty and a system that, without guidance, can become incomprehensible to those it is meant to serve.
UPDATE:
In an update on X, IOB says, the government authorities issued a death certificate and a legal heir certificate for Kalra Munda. "Immediately on receipt of these documents, Bank has settled the claim amount of Rs19,402 in the name of three legal heirs and money handed over to them, in accordance with established norms."
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