Bank didn’t believe the account holder was dead, so this Odisha man came back with his dead sister's skeleton

In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about banking awareness and procedures in rural India, a tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district brought his deceased sister’s skeleton to a bank after allegedly being told to present the account holder in person.

Keonjhar Bank Incident: Man Digs Up Sister’s Grave Over Withdrawal Issue

The incident took place at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Patana block. The man, identified as Jeetu Munda (50) from Dianali village, had been trying to withdraw Rs 20,000 from his late sister’s account.

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His sister, Kalra Munda (56), had passed away on January 26, 2026.

Frustrated after repeated visits to the bank, Jeetu took an extreme step.

“I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder,” he said. “Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me… so I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof.”

Banking Rules vs Ground Reality: Lack of Awareness Leads to Shocking Act

The case highlights a deeper issue, the gap between banking procedures and public awareness, especially in rural and tribal areas.

According to Patana Police Station IIC Kiran Prasad Sahu, Jeetu was unaware of basic banking concepts.

“Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is,” Sahu said. “The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person’s account.”

This lack of communication appears to have led to the shocking misunderstanding.

Odisha Police Intervention: Assurance of Help After Incident

Police reached the bank after receiving information about the situation and intervened immediately.

Officials assured Jeetu that they would help him complete the bank withdrawal process for a deceased account holder through proper legal channels.
After the incident, the skeleton was respectfully reburied in the presence of police.

Nominee Also Dead: Jeetu Munda the Only Claimant

Complicating the matter further, bank sources revealed that the nominee listed in Kalra Munda’s account had also passed away.

This makes Jeetu Munda the sole claimant to the bank account, meaning he is eligible to withdraw the funds after completing the required legal formalities.

Local Administration Responds to Odisha Bank Controversy

Local authorities have now stepped in to resolve the situation.

Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said the matter had not been brought to his attention earlier.

“Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue,” he said.

The administration has directed bank officials to ensure that Jeetu receives the money as per rules without further delay.

Odisha Banking Awareness Issue: Bigger Questions Raised

This incident has triggered a wider debate on financial literacy in rural India and how institutions communicate with vulnerable communities.

While banks follow strict procedures for withdrawals from deceased accounts, including legal heir certification and documentation, the lack of clear guidance can leave people confused and helpless.

In this case, that confusion escalated into a deeply distressing situation.


Inputs from agencies