In a shocking incident in eastern India, a man carried his deceased sister's corpse to a bank after digging up her remains to prove she had died, following repeated refusals to release funds without her presence.
The Incident at Odisha Grameen Bank
The event took place at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar district, Odisha state. Television networks broadcast footage showing the man, Jeetu Munda, carrying what appeared to be a corpse partially wrapped in plastic, with skeletal legs visible, slung over his shoulder.
Jeetu had been trying for weeks to access approximately INR 19,300 (about £151) from the account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda, who died in January after an illness. He claimed bank staff repeatedly told him to bring the account holder in person, even after he explained she had passed away.
Frustration Leads to Extreme Action
According to reports, bank officials said Jeetu needed to produce official documents, such as a death certificate, before releasing the money. However, he allegedly struggled to understand the process and failed to provide the required paperwork.
In frustration, on Monday, 27 April, Jeetu went to the village burial ground, exhumed his sister's remains, wrapped them in cloth, and walked approximately 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) to the bank. Once there, he placed the remains outside the branch, causing shock among staff and customers, prompting police to be called.
Officers from Patana Police Station arrived quickly. Police described Jeetu as a poor tribal villager from Dianali who did not understand banking rules or the legal process for claiming money from a deceased relative's account.
One officer stated: "He is an illiterate tribal man and does not know about legal heir or nominee procedures," adding that bank officials had failed to explain the required steps properly.
Jeetu told local reporters: "Out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought her remains as proof of death."
Resolution and Aftermath
Officials later intervened and assured Jeetu that the issue would be resolved and the funds released through legal channels. The remains were subsequently reburied under police supervision.
Local authorities confirmed that Jeetu is believed to be the only surviving claimant to the account funds, as the listed nominee had also died.
Registration of births and deaths is mandatory in India, but gaps in documentation persist, particularly in rural areas, leaving many families without formal certificates.
