Overview
- Jeetu Munda, who brought sister Kalra Munda’s skeletal remains to the Maliposi branch in Keonjhar on Monday, had been trying to withdraw about ₹19,300 from her account.
- Following viral outrage and official intervention, the bank released ₹19,402 with interest to him, and the Keonjhar administration gave ₹20,000 from the District Red Cross Fund.
- Police said Munda is illiterate and did not grasp nominee or legal-heir rules, and they supervised the reburial after assuring help with paperwork.
- Odisha Grameen Bank and its sponsor Indian Overseas Bank said staff sought a death certificate and other valid documents, not the physical presence of the deceased, as the account’s nominees had also died.
- State ministers condemned the handling and said an inquiry is underway, a response that could push banks and local offices to simplify death-claim guidance and help families secure certificates needed to access small savings.