An unusual and disturbing case that occurred in the east of India has generated national outrage and reignited debate over bureaucracy and access to financial services in rural areas.
A man identified as Jeetu Munda unearthed the remains of his deceased sister and moved them to a bank branch as proof of her death, after he was refused to withdraw the savings she had left in her account.
The event occurred in the district of Keonjhar, in the state of Odisha, where a video of the man carrying a bag with skeletal remains went viral on social networks. The images show Munda placing the body in front of the bank entrance, in a desperate act that many described as a reflection of the lack of understanding of the system and institutional rigidity.
VIDEO | A man from a tribal community in the eastern Indian state of Odisha digs up his dead sister and moves her body to a bank branch to withdraw savings from her account after the bank denied him access to the funds. pic.twitter.com/Gb77YDSGrd
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) April 28, 2026
Desperation in the face of bureaucracy
According to Munda himself, he went to the branch on several occasions to withdraw money from his sister, who died months before. However, bank employees required him to present an official death certificate, a vital document to legally access the funds when the account holder has died.
“I have gone to the bank many times, but they told me to bring the owner. I explained to them that I had died, but they didn’t believe me. So, I decided to take out his body to prove it,” declared the man, who is also illiterate, according to the authorities.
The 56-year-old woman had worked as a day laborer and, before dying, sold her cattle to deposit approximately 19,300 rupees (about $200 dollars) in the bank. By not having designated a beneficiary or in your account, the process for your family members to access the money became more complex.
Government intervention and immediate response
The seriousness of the case led to a rapid reaction from state authorities. Following the direct intervention of the Odisha chief minister, district officials went to the remote village of Dianali to provide support to the family.
The authorities recognized that Munda, being illiterate and unfamiliar with bureaucratic procedures, He faced difficulties for months withdrawing nearly $200 from his sister Kalra Munda’s account. In an extreme act of frustration, he decided to exhume the remains in order to “prove” his death.
Within hours, an official team reached the community and activated relief mechanisms under the state’s “Lok Seva” programme. This deployment turned what was initially a symbol of administrative failure into a rapid government response.
As part of the immediate assistance, 30,000 rupees ($316) were given to Munda from the district’s Red Cross Fund. In addition, authorities accelerated the issuance of key documents, such as the death certificate and the upright heir certificate.
The medical officer issued the death certificate in “immediate video display” mode, recognizing the vulnerability of the family. In parallel, the local official (Tahsildar) coordinated directly with the bank to ensure the release of the funds.
Finally, Munda received the entire sum, including interest, corresponding to the money deposited by his sister, which alleviated one of the main sources of anguish for the family.
Structural failures and call for greater sensitivity
The district administration admitted that the incident originated from a “lack of banking knowledge” in the community, but stressed that this does not justify what happened. In a statement, he emphasized that protecting the rights and dignity of the population is a main priority.
In addition, Local officials were ordered to adopt a more proactive and empathetic attitude when providing services in remote areas. An investigation was also launched to determine whether there was administrative negligence in the handling of the case.
The authorities urged the population to go directly to government offices or complaint channels in similar situations, in order to avoid extreme episodes like this.
The bank involved, belonging to the Indian International Bank, categorically denied having requested the physical presence of the deceased. According to his version, Munda initially came requesting a withdrawal by third parties, which is not allowed without formal authorization.
The institution assured that, after reporting the death of his sister, It was explained to him that he must present a death certificate and other legal documents. He also pointed out that The man later returned in a drunken state, He behaved aggressively and left the remains in front of the branch demanding the money.
Reported Incident at Odisha Grameen Bank institution of claimant bringing sister’s skeleton for death claim route of.
We would luxuriate in to post that, at the present time the Authorities bear issued the Death Certificate and Correct Inheritor Certificate. Straight on receipt of these documents, Financial institution…
— Indian International Bank (@IOBIndia) April 28, 2026
Faced with this situation, the staff called the police, who intervened to control the incident. The bank reiterated that “there was no harassment” and that its intention could protect the funds of a woman in a vulnerable situation.
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