Jitu Munda, 52, a resident of Keonjhar district, was seen in a widely circulated video transporting the skeletal remains of his sister, Kalara, through local streets before placing them outside a branch of Indian Overseas Bank. The act, he said, was driven by frustration after multiple failed attempts to withdraw money from her account following her death several months earlier.
According to Munda, his sister had sold livestock before her death, leaving 19,300 rupees in her bank account, an amount crucial for the family’s survival. However, bank officials allegedly declined his requests to access the funds, insisting on a death certificate that had not yet been issued. In rural parts of India, delays in issuing such official documents can extend for weeks or even months, often creating significant hardship for families.
“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated. I brought the skeleton to show that she had died,” Munda stated in an interview with BBC Hindi.
The bank, however, rejected claims that it demanded any physical verification of the deceased. In an official statement, Indian Overseas Bank clarified that its staff had adhered strictly to established procedures, requesting only legally mandated documentation. The bank further noted that multiple individuals had come forward claiming rights to the deceased woman’s savings, necessitating verification to safeguard her funds. It described the situation as “highly distressing” and maintained that its actions were intended to protect the financial interests of the deceased.
Police intervened shortly after the incident, persuading Munda to return the remains to the burial ground. Authorities assured him that his grievance would be addressed through appropriate administrative channels.
The case has intensified scrutiny of bureaucratic processes in rural India, particularly the delays in issuing essential documents such as death certificates. Following the incident and widespread public reaction, officials confirmed that the death certificate has now been issued and the funds have been released to the rightful relatives. A minister from the Odisha state government has stated that an investigation into the matter is underway.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across the country, with many viewing it as a stark example of systemic insensitivity and the challenges faced by marginalized tribal communities in accessing basic administrative services. It underscores the urgent need for more responsive governance mechanisms to prevent such distressing situations.
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