Odisha man digs up sister’s skeleton after bank denies withdrawal of Rs 20,000

His sister died, and there was Rs 20,000 deposited in her account. So, the man, a poor, illiterate tribal, went to the concerned bank to withdraw the amount. The bank officials told him to bring the account holder. When he told them that she was dead, they asked him to submit the legal heir certificate. All this appeared Greek to him.

Repeated visits, mounting frustration

Several times he went to the bank to convince the officials, and several times he was sent back. Then, recently, out of frustration, he dug up his sister’s grave, wrapped the skeleton in a piece of cloth and went to the bank with it to “bring” the account holder to withdraw the amount.

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The incident took place at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank located at Patana block of Keonjhar district. The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026.

"I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name. Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death," an illiterate Jeetu Munda told reporters.

Police step in

Patana Police Station Inspector in charge (IIC) Kiran Prasad Sahu, who reached the bank after getting information, said, "Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person's account."

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However, after the incident, the police assured Jeetu Munda that they would facilitate the withdrawal of money from the bank account of his dead sister. Later, the skeleton was again buried at the graveyard in the presence of the police.

Meanwhile, local Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said that he was not approached by anyone for the legal heir of late Kalra Munda. "Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue," the BDO said.

Only claimant, administration acts

Meanwhile, bank sources said that the nominee in Kalra Munda's bank account was also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.

The local administration has directed the bank officers to make arrangements and ensure that Jeetu Munda, who is the only claimant as per the rules, gets the money as soon as possible. (With agency inputs)