A tribal man in Odisha’s Keonjhar district carried the skeletal remains of his late sister to a bank on April 27. Driven by frustration, he reportedly arrived with the remains in an attempt to withdraw funds from her account, asserting his right as her successor.
The local Sub-Collector, Uma Shankar Dalai, explained that the man’s extreme actions stemmed from a total lack of understanding regarding the legal formalities required to access the money. According to officials, the bank had previously refused his request because he is not classified as a "Class-I" legal heir. When the bank requested specific documentation to prove his claim, the man, unable to provide the paperwork, felt he had no other way to prove his sister’s passing.
Authorities have since stepped in to manage the fallout of the incident and are now, reportedly, guiding the man through the proper administrative channels. He is being assisted in applying for a death certificate and a legal heir certificate to regularise the claim. To provide more immediate relief, officials are fast-tracking a payment of ₹20,000 rupees through Red Cross assistance.
"The man simply wasn't aware of the procedural requirements," Dalai noted. On the face of it, the bank followed the correct protocol by asking for documents he didn't have, especially since he isn't a Class-I heir," he added.
The local administration is now coordinating with the bank to ensure that once the paperwork is in order, the deposited funds are transferred to the rightful family members without further delay.
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