Death proof sought for withdrawal, Odisha tribal man takes sister’s skeleton to bank

Keonjhar: A tribal man carried the skeletal remains of his sister to a bank in Odisha to prove that she was dead in order to claim Rs 19,402 she had left behind. He received the amount Tuesday after authorities issued a death certificate and a legal heir certificate to enable the transaction.Moved by a heart-rending video of a frail Jitu Munda, 50, carrying his sister Kala’s skeletal remains in a sack to the Odisha Grameen Bank’s Mallipasi branch in Keonjhar Monday after the bank insisted on paperwork, the district administration also paid him Rs 30,000 as aid from the District Red Cross Fund.Jitu, a resident of Dianali village in Keonjhar district, the home district of CM Mohan Charan Majhi, had dug up the remains after bank staff said he could not withdraw the money without documentary proof of her death.Jitu told officials he did not understand the formal procedure. “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.”Bank officials said Jitu was informed about the requirement of death and legal heir certificates as he was not the nominee of the account. “As per rules, third-party withdrawals are not permitted without proper authorisation,” an official said.Kala Munda (56) had died on Jan 26 and was buried near the family’s residence in accordance with local customs.OGB Mallipasi branch manager Sushanta Sethy said, “After receiving death and legal heir certificates, Rs 19,402 was paid to Jitu.”State minister Sampad Chandra Swain said strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of lapses.The district administration said an inquiry is being conducted in the matter.