Jitu Munda, who comes from a tribal community in Odisha, said he was trying to show that his sister, Kalara Munda, had passed away.
Jitu could not provide a death certificate, which he needed in order to claim the money his sister had left behind. With no official paper to hand over, he decided to use a far more distressing form of proof.
The move stunned people who heard about the case, since it showed how far he felt he had to go to make officials believe him.
For Jitu, the act appeared to come from frustration and confusion over the process, rather than any attempt to cause a scene for its own sake.
‘I had no papers so I brought her body to prove she was dead’
Speaking to the BBC, Jitu said: “I was asked to prove whether my sister was alive or dead.”
“Since I had no papers, I brought her remains to show that she was dead.”
“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated.”
A video that spread online appeared to show Jitu carrying remains wrapped inside a sack to the bank. He then placed the sack outside the entrance of the building.
The bank responded soon after the incident drew attention. It released a statement on social media, pushing back against Jitu’s version of what had happened.
Officials said the branch had not demanded anything like that from him. Instead, they said staff had asked for the proper documents needed to process the claim.
The response made clear that the bank viewed the situation as a breakdown over procedure, not as an instruction for Jitu to bring his sister’s remains to the branch.
What Did Indian Overseas Bank Say About The Incident?
The organization said the incident happened because of a lack of awareness about the claim settlement process. It also said the person involved was unwilling to follow the steps explained by the branch manager, which included providing official papers such as a death certificate.
The bank also claimed the man came to the branch in an inebriated condition while trying to claim his sister’s money.
After the bank turned him away, officials claimed he left, exhumed his sister’s remains, and then returned to the branch with them.
‘It Created A Highly Distressing Situation’
Bank officials said the incident created a highly distressing situation, and police arrived at the scene shortly afterward.
Branch manager Sushant Kumar Sethi told the BBC that Jitu had first said his sister was paralyzed and could not come to the bank. Staff then offered to visit her at home, but he later said she had died.
Sushant also challenged other parts of Munda’s account. He said Jitu had not visited the branch in the past two months, and that other legal heirs had come forward to claim the money, which led officials to ask for the required documents.
How Do You Claim An Heir’s Money In India?
Earlier this week, government officials finally issued the death certificate and legal heir certificate needed for Jitu to claim the funds. The amount was reported to be 19,402 rupees, which is roughly $200 USD.
In India, when a bank account holder dies without naming a nominee, family members must provide official documents before the money can be released. That process can take time, and it can be even harder for people in remote areas who may struggle to access paperwork.
Officials later spoke with Jitu and encouraged him to rebury his sister’s remains. He has also been offered 30,000 rupees, which is approximately $316 USD.
