Photos: Indian Man Exhumes Sister’s Remains in Bid to Access Bank Savings

An elderly man in eastern India caused alarm at a bank in Odisha after exhuming his late sister’s remains and bringing them to a branch office to prove she had died and claim money from her account.

The incident happened Monday in Malipasi, Keonjhar district, according to The Hindu.

The man, identified as Jitu Munda from Dianali village, had reportedly visited the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank several times seeking to withdraw about Rs 20,000 belonging to his sister, Kalara Munda, who died on January 26.

Bank officials requested documents required to process the claim, but Munda, said to have no formal education, struggled to understand the procedure. Frustrated after repeated attempts, he dug up his sister’s grave and carried her skeleton to the bank as proof of her death.

The scene shocked staff and customers and prompted police intervention.

An officer from the Patana police division, Kiran Prasad Sahu, said the incident exposed a breakdown in communication between the claimant and bank officials.

According to Sahu, Munda did not understand the legal process for accessing funds in a deceased person’s account, while officials failed to adequately explain the requirements, including the role of a legal heir or nominee.

Reports said the case was complicated by the death of the nominee listed on the account, leaving Munda as the surviving claimant.

Following police mediation, bank officials assured him the withdrawal process would be facilitated in line with legal procedures. Authorities in the Patna block also said they would assist him in obtaining a legal heir certificate and other documents needed to access the funds.

The remains were later returned to the gravesite and reburied in the presence of police.

Local official Manas Dandpat said authorities had moved to resolve the matter and ensure Munda receives the money through due process.