An unusual and disturbing incident has been reported from the eastern Indian state of Odisha, where a man allegedly exhumed his deceased sister’s body and brought it to a bank branch after being denied access to her account.
According to reports, the man, identified as Jitu Munda, belongs to a constitutionally recognised tribal community. He had visited a branch of Indian Overseas Bank on Monday in an attempt to withdraw money from his late sister’s account to cover urgent needs.
However, bank officials refused the request, stating that withdrawals by a third party are not allowed without proper legal documentation, including a valid death certificate and authorization. Following the refusal, the man reportedly took the extreme step of bringing his sister’s body to the bank to prove her death.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and debate, highlighting gaps in access to essential documentation and banking services in remote and underprivileged communities. It also raises questions about the challenges faced by marginalized groups when dealing with formal institutions.
In response, the bank reiterated that its staff acted in accordance with established rules and regulations, which are designed to prevent fraud and ensure the security of account holders’ funds. Authorities are now looking into the matter, while local officials have reportedly stepped in to assist the family in obtaining the required documents.
