In a shocking case that sparked nationwide outrage, a branch manager of Odisha Grameen Bank has been suspended after a tribal man was forced to carry his deceased sister's skeletal remains to a bank in Odisha's Keonjhar district while trying to access money from her savings account. The incident has also prompted the Central Government to issue a nationwide advisory directing all 28 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to deal with customers in a more compassionate and sensitive manner.
The controversy began when Jitu Munda, a tribal resident of Keonjhar, attempted to withdraw ₹19,402 from the account of his late sister. According to reports, he struggled to complete the required formalities and believed he needed to physically prove her death. In a desperate act, he carried her skeletal remains to the bank, an incident that quickly went viral and drew widespread criticism.
Following public outrage, the Department of Financial Services reviewed the matter with Odisha Grameen Bank. The bank later suspended the manager of the Malliposi branch and released the money to the legal heirs after the necessary documents were arranged with the help of local authorities.
The Union Government has since directed all Regional Rural Banks across the country to ensure transparent, citizen-friendly and empathetic service, particularly for rural, tribal and vulnerable communities. Officials stressed that while banking procedures must be followed, they should be implemented with sensitivity and proper communication so that customers understand the requirements without facing unnecessary hardship.
The incident has reignited concerns about bureaucratic hurdles, financial literacy and access to banking services in remote parts of India. It has also highlighted the need for frontline bank staff to guide customers more effectively, especially those unfamiliar with official procedures.
The case remains one of the most disturbing examples of how a lack of communication and empathy can turn a routine banking matter into a national controversy.
