A man carrying a skeleton walked into a regional rural bank in Odisha, prompting the immediate suspension of the branch manager and a statewide directive to all 28 regional rural banks (RRBs) to exercise sensitivity in handling such incidents. The bizarre event occurred on 22 June 2026 at a branch of the Odisha Gramya Bank in the Nayagarh district.
Incident Details
According to bank officials, the individual entered the premises with a human skeleton wrapped in cloth, demanding to open an account in the name of the deceased. Staff members alerted the branch manager, who reportedly asked the man to leave without escalating the matter. However, the situation drew public attention, leading to a police complaint and subsequent investigation.
The man later told police that he had exhumed the skeleton from a nearby cremation ground to prove that his relative had died without legal heirs, hence he was entitled to the deceased's property. The bank manager's failure to handle the situation appropriately led to his suspension, as per an order from the head office.
Directive to All RRBs
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which oversees RRBs, issued a circular to all 28 regional rural banks in Odisha, mandating that staff be trained to deal with unusual requests with empathy and professionalism. The circular states, "Branches must ensure that no customer is turned away without proper guidance, and any suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to local authorities immediately."
NABARD officials emphasized that the incident highlights the need for better customer service protocols, especially in rural areas where financial literacy is low. "We have advised all RRBs to conduct sensitization workshops for their staff to prevent such incidents from recurring," said a senior NABARD official on condition of anonymity.
Impact and Reactions
The suspension has drawn mixed reactions. Local residents expressed shock, with one stating, "It is unbelievable that someone would bring a skeleton to a bank. The manager should have handled it better." Meanwhile, banking unions have called for a review of the manager's suspension, arguing that he was not trained to deal with such an extreme situation.
Police have registered a case against the man for exhuming a dead body without permission, which is a criminal offense under the Indian Penal Code. Investigations are ongoing to determine if the man's claims about property rights are legitimate.
The Odisha Gramya Bank has assured customers that normal operations have resumed and that additional security measures are being implemented at all branches.
