A day after a tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district carried his deceased sister’s skeletal remains to a bank as proof of death in order to withdraw money from her account, the administration moved with unusual alacrity on Tuesday (April 28, 2026), completing all formalities and disbursing the payment within a single day.
Disturbing visuals of a tribal man, Jitu Munda of Diananali village under Patna block in Keonjhar district, walking through the streets with the skeletal remains slung over his shoulder had gone viral, triggering widespread outrage.
“We issued the death certificate in the morning. The local tahsildar verified family details through the revenue inspector and promptly issued the legal heir certificate. Subsequently, bank officials handed over ₹19,300 to the family members,” said Manas Dandpat, block development officer of Patna block.
Officials begin probe
The Keonjhar district administration also initiated a probe into the circumstances that forced Mr. Munda to carry the skeletal remains in full public view.
