Man Exhumes Sister’s Remains to Prove Death After Bank Allegedly Demands Her Presence

A shocking incident unfolded at a rural bank in Odisha, India, where a man reportedly exhumed his late sister’s remains and brought them to a bank to prove she was dead after officials allegedly insisted on her physical presence to withdraw funds.

The incident occurred at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in the Patana block of Keonjhar district. The man, identified as Jeetu Munda, 50, is a resident of Dianali village.

According to reports, Jeetu had been attempting to withdraw ₹20,000 from the account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda, 56, who reportedly died on January 26, 2026. He claimed that despite multiple visits to the bank and informing officials of her death, he was repeatedly instructed to bring the account holder in person before the money could be released.

Frustrated and reportedly unaware of the legal procedures for accessing a deceased person’s funds, Jeetu allegedly dug up his sister’s grave and carried her skeletal remains to the bank as proof.

Speaking to reporters, he said he had made several attempts to resolve the issue but was not taken seriously. His actions, he explained, were driven by desperation after officials allegedly refused to acknowledge his claims.

Police from the local Patana Police Station later arrived at the scene. The officer in charge, Kiran Prasad Sahu, described Jeetu as an illiterate tribal man who lacked awareness of legal terms such as “nominee” or “legal heir.”

Sahu also criticized the bank staff for allegedly failing to clearly explain the proper procedure for withdrawing money from a deceased person’s account.

Following police intervention, authorities assured Jeetu that the funds would be released through the correct legal process. After the situation was resolved, the remains were returned and reburied at the graveyard under police supervision.

The incident has sparked concern over the lack of financial literacy and the need for clearer communication between banking institutions and rural customers.