Keonjhar Skeleton Case: Odisha Govt to Act Against Bank Officials
In a shocking incident, tribal man Jitu Munda carried his sister’s skeletal remains to the Odisha Grameen Bank in Keonjhar, alleging negligence in processing her death claim.
The episode exposed serious procedural lapses and drew widespread criticism.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state government will recommend strict action against bank officials based on the RDC inquiry report.
He emphasised that the bank should have directly sought death and legal heir certificates from the authorities instead of burdening the customer.
Since the bank does not fall under state administrative control, the government will forward the report to competent authorities for disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Grameen Bank Association opposed punitive action, claiming employees were not at fault and warning of agitation.
Rejecting this defence, Pujari stressed that bank staff must guide uneducated customers and cannot shirk responsibility.
Indian Overseas Bank, however, defended its staff, stating that Munda arrived intoxicated, created a disturbance, and later returned with the remains, attributing the incident to his lack of awareness and refusal to follow procedures.
The case has sparked debate over accountability, customer service, and sensitivity in financial institutions handling vulnerable communities.
