Bank releases funds to tribal family after Odisha Skeleton row

A tribal man’s shocking act of carrying his deceased sister’s skeleton to a bank in Odisha has triggered widespread outrage, following which the bank has released the pending funds to the family. Jeetu Munda, a resident of Dhyanali village in Kendujhar district, had approached a branch of Odisha Gramin Bank to withdraw Rs. 19,400 from his late sister Kagra Munda’s account. However, the bank insisted on submission of legal documents such as a death certificate and inheritance certificate. Unable to produce the required documents, Jeetu Munda allegedly exhumed his sister’s remains, wrapped the skeleton in cloth and carried it for nearly three kilometres to the bank earlier this week. Visuals of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.
Following the controversy, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered an inquiry into the incident.
In a statement, Odisha Gramin Bank clarified that reports claiming officials had asked the deceased to appear in person were incorrect.
The bank stated that the withdrawal was initially denied due to lack of mandatory legal documents and alleged that the man was intoxicated and unwilling to follow procedures.
The bank later confirmed that, based on an inheritance certificate issued by government authorities, Rs. 19,402 has now been disbursed to the three legal heirs. Meanwhile, local residents expressed concern over the situation, stating that better coordination with village authorities could have avoided the distressing episode.
Officials from the local administration and police had earlier intervened, pacified Jeetu Munda and assured assistance. Subsequently, authorities facilitated the issuance of the death certificate and legal heir documents, and also extended financial assistance to the family.