Man in India brings sister’s skeleton to bank after misunderstanding withdrawal process
A tribal man in India’s Odisha state dug up his dead sister’s skeletal remains and carried them to a rural bank after reportedly failing to understand the documents needed to withdraw money from her account.
- A tribal man in Odisha carried his dead sister’s skeletal remains to a bank to claim money from her account.
- Police said the man did not understand the requirement for a death certificate and legal documents.
- Authorities later intervened and persuaded him to rebury the remains before explaining the withdrawal process.
INDIA: A tribal man in India’s Odisha state carried his dead sister’s skeletal remains to a rural bank after allegedly failing to understand the documents required to withdraw money from her account, according to police and local media reports.
The incident took place on 28 April in Mallipasi village in Keonjhar district and drew crowds after bank staff alerted authorities.
Police later intervened and persuaded the man to rebury the remains while explaining the legal process needed to access the funds.
Man sought access to sister’s savings
According to NDTV, the man, identified as Jitu Munda from Dianali village, had been attempting to withdraw Rs 19,300 (US$203.95) from his sister’s account at Odisha Gramin Bank in Mallipasi.
His sister, Kakra Munda, died about two months ago.
NDTV reported that her husband and only child had died earlier, leaving Jitu as her only surviving relative.
When Jitu approached the bank to withdraw the money, officials reportedly informed him that the account holder needed to be present or that legal heir documents and a death certificate had to be submitted.
Police say man misunderstood documentation process
According to The Times of India, Jitu is illiterate and struggled to understand the documentation process explained by bank officials.
Police said he mistakenly believed physical proof of his sister’s death would be enough to access the funds.
NDTV reported that Jitu later went to the burial site, unearthed his sister’s remains, wrapped the skeleton in cloth and carried it about three kilometres to the bank under intense heat.
“When the bank official could not give his sister's deposit money he has brought the skeleton to show them as proof that she has dead,” Jitu was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Bank staff alerted authorities
Bank staff became frightened after seeing the skeletal remains and contacted police.
Villagers from nearby areas also gathered outside the bank after news of the incident spread.
Kiran Prasad Sahu, inspector-in-charge of Patna police station, said officers later spoke to Jitu and explained the legal requirements needed to withdraw the money.
“He is innocent and could not understand about the death certificate to be deposited in the bank to get back his sister's deposited money from the bank,” Sahu said, according to The Times of India.
Police said Jitu later took the remains away and reburied them.
