Tribal Man Digs Up Sister’s Grave, Carries Skeleton to Bank to Withdraw Rs.20,000

India: In a shocking and heart-wrenching incident, a 50-year-old illiterate tribal labourer from Odisha’s Keonjhar district dug up his deceased sister’s grave and carried her skeleton on his shoulder to a rural bank branch to withdraw money from her account.

Jeetu Munda, a resident of Dianali village in Patna block, took this extreme step on Monday after officials at the Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank repeatedly insisted that the account holder, his elder sister Kalra Munda (56), must appear in person, despite being informed multiple times that she had passed away on January 26, 2026.

According to police and local administration sources, Jeetu Munda was the sole surviving nominee in the account after the other nominee had also died. However, bank staff demanded a death certificate and legal heir documents, which the uneducated tribal man was unaware of and unable to provide.

Frustrated by the repeated refusal, Munda exhumed his sister’s remains, wrapped them in cloth, and walked barefoot through the village streets carrying the skeleton to the bank in a desperate bid to access the approximately Rs.20,000 lying in the account.

A video of the man walking with the skeleton on his shoulder went viral on social media, prompting swift intervention by the police and district administration.Officials have assured Jeetu Munda that they will facilitate the withdrawal process and help him complete the necessary formalities. The remains of Kalra Munda were later reburied under administrative supervision.

Local authorities have directed the bank to resolve the matter urgently and are examining the conduct of the branch staff.

Speaking to reporters, Jeetu Munda said, “I told them again and again that my sister is no more, but they didn’t listen. In desperation, I had to do this.”

The district administration has initiated an inquiry into the matter to prevent such distressing incidents in the future.