Jitu Munda, a 52-year-old man from the Indian state of Odisha, carried the remains of his deceased sister through the streets of Keonjhar to a bank branch, sparking nationwide shock and outrage over bureaucratic insensitivity. The incident, captured on video, shows Munda placing the skeletal remains outside the bank after officials repeatedly refused to release the money left in her account without an official death certificate.
Desperate Act of Frustration
Munda, who belongs to a poor tribal community, said his sister Kalara had sold livestock before her death several months ago, leaving a sum of 19,300 rupees (approximately £150) in her account. Despite multiple attempts to withdraw the funds to cover funeral and living expenses, bank officials demanded a death certificate that had not yet been issued. In rural India, obtaining such a certificate can take weeks or even months, causing significant hardship for bereaved families.
“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated. I brought the skeleton to show that she had died,” Munda told BBC Hindi.
Police Intervention and Resolution
Police intervened at the scene and persuaded Munda to return the remains to the burial ground, assuring him that his complaint would be addressed. Following the viral spread of the video, officials confirmed that the death certificate has now been issued and the money has been released to the relatives. A minister from the Odisha state government stated that the case is under investigation.
Bank's Response
Indian Overseas Bank, where the account was held, disputed Munda's account in a statement, claiming that staff were following standard procedures. They noted that other heirs had also come forward to claim the woman's savings. “The bank’s intention was to protect the interest of the poor tribal [woman’s] monies in the account,” the statement read, describing the incident as a “highly distressing situation at the premises.”
National Outrage
The incident has prompted widespread condemnation, with many Indians calling it “heartbreaking” and a stark example of the “lack of humanity” in Indian bureaucracy, particularly affecting marginalized tribal communities. It highlights the systemic challenges faced by rural populations in navigating administrative procedures, often exacerbating the trauma of losing a loved one.
