Odisha tribal man brings sister's skeleton to bank in Keonjhar; BJD, Congress attack BJP
Synopsis
Shortly after, he returned carrying what the bank described as a "rotten dead body in a bag which was buried few days ago" and placed it in front of the branch, demanding access to the account.
Bank Denies Harassment, Issues Clarification
The Odisha Grameen Bank categorically denied any harassment of Jitu Munda by its staff, stating that the branch manager followed standard banking procedure throughout the interaction. The bank maintained that its officials acted within established guidelines and that no undue pressure or mistreatment was directed at the individual.
The clarification noted that the manager had, in fact, patiently explained the procedural requirements — including the option of settling the account upon submission of a death certificate — before Jitu Munda left and returned with the remains.
Opposition Parties Slam Odisha Government
The incident drew swift condemnation from Opposition parties, who targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government over what they described as systemic failure.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) posted sharply on its official X handle:
Key Takeaways
No one heeded the requests; the brother brought his sister's body from beneath the soil.
An unprecedented scene in the Chief Minister's own district, crossing all limits of cruelty.
A tribal man in Keonjhar district, Odisha, arrived at a local bank branch on Monday, 27 April carrying the exhumed skeletal remains of his deceased sister in a bid to withdraw money from her account — a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered sharp political reactions and prompted the bank to issue a formal clarification.
What Happened at the Malliposi Branch
According to a press statement issued by the Odisha Grameen Bank, a man identified as Jitu Munda arrived at the bank's Malliposi branch, Patna Block, Keonjhar district, at approximately 11 am in an inebriated state, demanding to withdraw funds from the account of his sister, Kalara Munda.
The branch manager reportedly informed Jitu Munda that he was not authorised to withdraw money from another individual's account. When asked about his sister's whereabouts, Jitu Munda initially claimed she was in a coma and unable to visit the bank. The manager explained that withdrawals require the account holder's consent, and that in the event of a death, a death certificate and other documentation would be required before the account could be settled as per banking guidelines.
According to the bank's statement, Jitu Munda then left the premises while shouting that he would
Point of View
It sidesteps a harder question: why did a grieving man feel this was his only recourse? The BJP government, which came to power in Odisha partly on promises of inclusive governance, faces uncomfortable scrutiny in its own Chief Minister's home district. The Opposition's outrage is politically motivated, but the underlying issue — access to banking services and death-claim settlement for marginalised communities — is legitimate and demands a structural response, not just a press release.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das also took to X, stating:
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Odisha Grameen Bank branch in Keonjhar?
A tribal man named Jitu Munda arrived at the Malliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar district on 27 April 2025 carrying the exhumed remains of his deceased sister, Kalara Munda, demanding to withdraw money from her account. The bank had earlier refused the withdrawal, citing standard procedural requirements.
Did bank officials harass Jitu Munda?
The Odisha Grameen Bank denied any harassment in its official press statement, saying the branch manager followed standard banking guidelines throughout the interaction. The manager had explained the documentation required to settle a deceased account holder's funds.
Why did Jitu Munda bring his sister's skeleton to the bank?
According to the bank's account, Jitu Munda was told he could not withdraw money from his sister's account without her consent or, in case of death, a death certificate. He reportedly left and returned with the exhumed remains, apparently to prove his sister had died and assert his claim over the funds.
Which political parties condemned the incident?
Both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress criticised the Odisha state government over the incident, calling it cruel and unfortunate. BJD described it as an "unprecedented scene in the Chief Minister's own district."
What happens next in the Keonjhar bank skeleton case?
The Odisha Grameen Bank has issued a formal clarification denying harassment. Authorities are expected to facilitate the legal settlement of Kalara Munda's account upon submission of the required documentation. The political controversy is likely to intensify scrutiny of banking access for tribal communities in the state.
