After the skeleton row, bank releases Rs 19,402 to Jitu Munda’s family in Keonjhar

Keonjhar: Officials from Odisha Grameen Bank visited Dianali village in Keonjhar district on Tuesday and handed over ₹19,402 from a deceased woman’s account to her family after completing the required documentation in the presence of villagers and local representatives.

The District Red Cross Fund also extended financial assistance of ₹30,000, offering some relief to the grieving family a day after an incident that had triggered outrage across the state.

The sequence of events began on Monday at the Maliposi branch of the bank under Patana block, where Jitu Munda, aged 50, reportedly exhumed the skeletal remains of his elder sister Kalara Munda and brought them to the bank premises while demanding access to her savings, Ommcom News reported.

Reports indicated that Kalara Munda, 56, a resident of Dianali village under Erendei panchayat, had passed away on January 26 due to a stomach-related illness. An amount of ₹19,402, said to be from the sale of a bullock, had been deposited in her account.

Jitu had allegedly made several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw the money because he lacked the necessary documents and there was confusion regarding the nominee.

Police personnel from Patana station, including the IIC, reached the bank after the situation escalated and counselled Jitu. Following this, the remains were taken back and reburied with his cooperation.

A subsequent inquiry by the district administration found that the deceased had three legal heirs—Jitu Munda, Shankara Munda, and Gurubari Munda—while the nominee listed in the account had already passed away.

Officials suggested that the incident stemmed from a mix of limited awareness, illiteracy, and possible family disputes.

Authorities later expedited the issuance of the death certificate and legal heir certificate. Senior bank officials then processed the claim and arranged for the money to be disbursed directly in the village, which helped restore normalcy.

Reacting to the incident, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reportedly described it as a reflection of a lack of a humanitarian approach and indicated that action would be taken against those responsible.

Opposition parties such as the Biju Janata Dal and the Indian National Congress also criticised the episode, calling it deeply unfortunate and raising concerns about the treatment of vulnerable citizens.

The incident, which took place in the home district of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has sparked a broader debate on procedural rigidity, financial literacy, and the need for greater sensitivity in public service delivery.