Kendujhar Skeleton Case Sparks Debate: RDC Blames Bank, Officers’ Association Defends Staff

Kendujhar Skeleton Case Sparks Debate: RDC Blames Bank

Officers’ Association Defends Staff

CNB WORLD TIMES

Keonjhar, 1^st May, 2026: The shocking incident of Jeetu Munda from Kendujhar bringing his sister’s skeleton to a bank has triggered a major debate across the country. What started as a tragic personal struggle has now turned into a serious administrative and humanitarian issue.

Following instructions from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Uttaranchal RDC Sangram Keshari Mohapatra visited Kendujhar and conducted an investigation. After reviewing the case, he directly blamed the bank authorities for the incident.

According to the RDC, the bank’s negligence and lack of cooperation forced a poor tribal man to take such an extreme step. He examined CCTV footage and found that Jeetu Munda interacted with bank staff for around 42 minutes and met the manager multiple times. Though the footage had no audio, the RDC stated that the staff’s body language suggested a lack of empathy.

He also pointed out that the bank officials were familiar with Jeetu and his sister, as they had previously visited the branch. Despite this, he was allegedly harassed over documentation and was not properly assisted. The RDC called the incident “shameful” and confirmed that action would be taken against those responsible.

In addition, he expressed concern over delays in issuing the death certificate and criticized the police for failing to ensure a dignified handling of the body. He said a detailed report will soon be submitted to the government.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Grama Bank Officers’ Association has come out strongly in support of the bank manager and staff. The association stated that the employees followed all rules and guidelines set by the Reserve Bank. It claimed that the customer did not complete the required legal procedures, which led to the situation.

The association also condemned the criticism and social media backlash against bank employees. It warned that any action against the staff would be met with strong protests across all levels. The group emphasized that bank workers serve rural communities with dedication and must be protected.

Earlier, Indian Overseas Bank, the sponsor bank of Odisha Grama Bank, had also stated that the branch was not at fault and that no one had asked the man to bring the skeleton.

The issue has now reached political circles as well. Opposition parties have raised concerns in the Assembly, criticizing the incident and the system’s failure. The case has also gained national attention, with public figures expressing concern and offering financial help to Jeetu Munda.

With conflicting views from the administration and the bank association, the matter now rests with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. His decision is expected to set an important example in balancing legal procedures with humanitarian responsibility.