Indian man exhumes sister’s remains to access bank savings

An elderly man in eastern India shocked bank staff and customers after digging up his late sister’s remains in a bid to prove her death and withdraw money from her account.

The incident occurred on Monday in Malipasi area of Keonjhar district, according to a report by The Hindu.

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

Bank officials reportedly asked him to provide the required documentation before the funds could be released.

Frustrated after several unsuccessful visits, Munda exhumed his sister’s skeleton and brought it to the bank as evidence of her death, leaving those present stunned.

“I told them she had died, but they did not listen. They kept asking me to bring her. Out of frustration, I dug up her grave to show she is no more,” he said.

Police officers from the Patana division later visited the bank following the incident.

A police official, Kiran Prasad Sahu, said the situation stemmed largely from a communication gap, noting that Munda, who is uneducated, did not understand the legal process required to access funds belonging to a deceased person.

Following police intervention, bank officials assured that steps would be taken to help him access the money in line with due procedures.

The remains were subsequently returned and reburied under police supervision.

Reports indicated that the situation was further complicated because the nominee on the account had also died, leaving Munda as the only surviving claimant.

A local official, Manas Dandpat, said authorities were working to resolve the matter and would assist Munda in obtaining the necessary documents, including a legal heir certificate, to access the funds.