New Delhi — An Indian man dug up his sister’s body and carried her remains into a bank after being refused access to her account because he did not have a death certificate, the lender said.
The bank identified the man as Jitu Munda, from a constitutionally recognized tribal community in Odisha. Munda went to an Indian Overseas Bank branch on Monday seeking to withdraw money from his deceased sister’s account. Bank staff told him “withdrawals by a third party are not permitted without proper authorization,” the lender said.
Angered by the refusal, and lacking the required death certificate, Munda returned to the branch carrying his sister’s remains. Television footage showed what appeared to be a partially wrapped body with skeletal legs visible, slung over his shoulder. The bank said the scene “created a highly distressing situation at the premises” and described the incident as resulting from a “lack of awareness” and the individual’s unwillingness to follow procedures.
The bank added that the claim will be processed on priority once a death certificate is submitted. Registration of births and deaths is mandatory in India, but gaps in documentation persist, particularly in rural areas, leaving many families without the formal certificates needed to access banking, pensions and other services.