VIRAL footage shows the heart-breaking moment a tribal man carried his sisters skeleton to the bank to prove her death.
The shocking incident took place at Odisha Grameen Bank in ‘s Odisha state.
Jeetu Munda walks barefoot to Odisha Grameen Bank carrying his sisters Credit: Taniya Dutta
Munda made the trip in extreme heat after he said the bank refused to withdraw the money Credit: Taniya Dutta
Jeetu Munda, 65, tried to withdraw 20,000 rupees (£157) from the account of his older sister, Kalra Munda, who died in January.
But he said bank officials told him to bring the account holder with him.
Munda said: “I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name.
“I told them that she had died, but they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank.”
Bystanders could be seen watching the scene unfold in horror Credit: Taniya Dutta
Munda did not have his sister’s death certificate so could not officially register her death – a common problem in regions where and bureaucratic red-tape often leave deaths undocumented.
On Monday Munda went to the village and exhumed his sister’s remains.
“I dug the grave out of frustration and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death,” he said.
He wrapped the skeleton in cloth, and walked 1.8miles to the bank in scorching heat, leaving bank officials stunned.
As word spread of the tragic scene, police were alerted who calmed Munda and took charge of the situation.
Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Kiran Prasad Sahu told The Sun the bank failed to explain the proper process for withdrawing the money.
Sahu said: “We were informed by the villagers and when we reached the bank, we saw him sitting with the body.
“We spoke to the bank employees but they said the money cannot be withdrawn by him because the nominee was her elder brother who too is dead.”
He said the bank has assured cash withdrawal as per due process and documentation.
Kalra’s body was later rebuiried.
The video has sparked outrage online, with many users condemning what they described as excessive bureaucracy.
Social media users said the episode showed how illiterate people are forced to navigate a system that prioritises paperwork over human dignity.
Kalpa Priyadarsani, a user on X, wrote: “This isn’t just about one bank or one incident—it highlights a deeper issue of how marginalized communities are being neglected and mistreated while those in power remain indifferent.”
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government has taken “serious note of the conduct of the bank employees”.
“We will take up the matter at the appropriate level to ensure that the accused are punished.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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