ODISHA: An unusual incident was reported from Keonjhar district in India’s Odisha state, where a tribal man dug up his dead sister’s grave & carried her skeleton to bank in an attempt to withdraw her savings, officials said.
The man, identified as 59-year-old Jeetu Munda, was reported to have exhumed the grave of his 62-year-old sister Kalra Munda and placed her remains in a plastic bag.
He then walked nearly three kilometres to a bank branch and placed the remains outside the premises while demanding the release of 20,000 rupees from her account.
The woman had died on January 26, according to local sources. No nominated heir had been registered, and the bank had refused withdrawal, citing the absence of the account holder or legal inheritance documentation.
The man said he had repeatedly informed the bank about his sister’s death, but no action had been taken. He said the remains were presented as proof of death.
A tribal man in Odisha, India, dug up his dead sister’s grave & carried her skeleton to bank to withdraw Rs20,000 ($200) from her account, as bank insisted the presence of account holder in person. Nothing surprises in India under the Hindutva rule! pic.twitter.com/egiINRer31
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) April 28, 2026
Police were called to the scene and brought the situation under control. The man was counselled and advised to obtain a legal inheritance certificate from the local revenue office to access the funds.
The remains were later reburied by authorities.
Police said the man was illiterate and unaware of legal procedures. It was also noted that adequate guidance had not been provided by bank officials.
District authorities have taken note of the incident and requested a report. The bank has been instructed to release the funds after completion of legal formalities.
