A man in Odisha, India shocked villagers after he allegedly dug up his deceased sister’s skeletal remains and brought them to a bank in a desperate attempt to withdraw INR20,000 (about RM1,460) from her account.
The man, identified as 50-year-old Jeetu Munda from Dianali village in Keonjhar district, had reportedly been trying to access the funds left in his late sister Kakra Munda’s account at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Gramya Bank.
His sister had passed away on January 26 following an illness. She reportedly earned the money through selling cattle, and with her husband and only child already deceased, Jeetu was her only surviving relative.
However, bank officials allegedly refused to release the funds without proper documentation, such as a death certificate or legal succession papers. Jeetu, who is illiterate, was unable to provide the required documents and said he was repeatedly told to bring the account holder despite explaining she had died.
Frustrated by the bureaucratic process, Jeetu later went to the village cremation ground on April 27, exhumed his sister’s remains, wrapped the bones in cloth, and walked around three kilometres to the bank in an act that left locals in shock.
Witnesses said the disturbing scene caused outrage in the village, with many blaming the bank for lacking sensitivity and suggesting that officials could have verified the death through local authorities instead of insisting on formal paperwork.
Police were later called to the scene and intervened, calming Jeetu and taking control of the situation. He was assured that his case would be handled on humanitarian grounds, and authorities later facilitated the reburial of his sister’s remains.
Officials also noted that the nominated beneficiary in the account had also passed away, leaving Jeetu as the sole legal claimant to the funds.
Local authorities have since instructed the bank to expedite the process and ensure Jeetu receives the RM1,460 as soon as possible, while also reviewing the handling of the case.
