Bank staff in eastern India were left shocked on Monday after a man brought his late sister’s remains to a branch to prove she had died and withdraw money from her account.
The incident took place at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar district, according to The Hindu.
Jeetu Munda, 50, from Dianali village, had gone to the bank to access about Rs 20,000 from the account of his elder sister, Kalara Munda, who died on 26 January.
Bank officials asked for formal documentation before releasing the funds.
Munda, who has no formal education, told local media that repeated visits had not resolved the matter.
“I told them she had died, but they did not listen. They kept saying, bring the account holder to withdraw the money.
“Out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought her skeleton as proof that she is no more,” he said.
Officers from the Patana police division later attended the bank after being alerted.
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Kiran Prasad Sahu, a police official, said the case showed a communication gap.
“Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not understand what a legal heir or nominee means. The bank officials failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from a deceased person’s account,” Sahu said.
Following police involvement, the bank said it would help Mr Munda follow the correct process to access the funds.
The remains were reburied at the gravesite in the presence of police.
Local reports said the matter was complicated because the account’s nominee had also died, leaving Munda as the sole surviving claimant.
Manas Dandpat, a local official, said authorities had only recently been told of the case.
“We will see what can be done to resolve the issue,” he said, adding that steps were being taken to help Munda obtain a legal heir certificate and other required documents.
Patana block officials said Munda would receive assistance to claim the money in line with the law.