A man in the eastern Indian state of Odisha dug up his sister’s body and carried her skeletal remains to a bank branch on Monday after staff refused to let him withdraw money from her account without a death certificate.

Jitu Munda, from a constitutionally recognized tribal community, walked to the Indian Overseas Bank branch to access funds belonging to his recently buried sister.

Why did Jitu Munda bring his sister’s skeleton to the bank?

Munda was turned away when he tried to withdraw money from his sister’s account because he lacked a death certificate. Unable to obtain one or navigate the formal heirship process, he returned to the branch carrying her exhumed remains to prove she had died. Bank staff described the situation as “highly distressing.”

What happened when Munda arrived at the bank with the body?

Bank staff told Munda on his first visit that withdrawals by a third party are not permitted without proper authorization. He returned carrying what television networks described as human remains, partially wrapped in plastic, with skeletal legs visible and slung over his shoulder. Footage of the incident was broadcast by multiple Indian television networks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bank said the incident stemmed from a “lack of awareness” and the individual’s unwillingness to follow procedures.

It added that the claim would be “settled on priority” once a death certificate was submitted. The bank said it had not demanded that Munda produce the body.

Can you withdraw money from a bank account after death in India?

Registration of births and deaths is mandatory in India, but documentation gaps persist, particularly in rural areas.

Many families, especially in tribal communities, are left without formal certificates and struggle to navigate bank procedures after a death. Without a death certificate and proof of legal heirship, banks are generally unable to release funds to a third party.