Keonjhar shocker: NHRC directs inquiry, seeks ATR from district administration and bank

Bhubaneswar, April 29 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Keonjhar Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) to initiate an inquiry into an incident in which a tribal man exhumed and carried his sister’s skeletal remains to a bank after officials allegedly demanded a death certificate and a legal heir certificate to process a death claim.

Acting on a petition filed by noted rights activist Manoj Jena on April 28, the apex rights body has also asked the Keonjhar Collector and SP to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within one week of completing the inquiry.

The NHRC has also directed the Chairman of Odisha Grameen Bank to submit a separate ATR on the issue within seven days.

In his complaint, Jena stated that a 42-year-old tribal man, Jeetu Munda of Dianali village under Patna police station limits in Keonjhar district, had visited the Mallipashi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank on April 27 to withdraw money from the account of his deceased sister, Kalara Munda, who had recently died without legal heirs.

“However, the bank officials refused and insisted that the account holder must be “physically present”. The tribal man, in a state of distress, exhumed the buried remains of his deceased sister, carried her remains on his shoulder and brought them to the bank for compliance,” alleged Jena.

The rights activist, in his complaint, sought immediate action over what he termed a gross violation of human rights and administrative insensitivity.

The Commission observed that the alleged facts point to a serious violation of the human rights of Jeetu Munda, who endured extreme psychological and emotional distress, and noted that the actions of the bank officials also disrespected the rights of the deceased.

It further stated that the incident strikes at the core of the fundamental right to live with dignity and undermines ongoing efforts to integrate tribal communities into the mainstream through access to banking services.

“The Commission views this matter seriously, and directs the District Magistrate, Keonjhar and the Superintendent of Police, Keonjhar, to conduct an inquiry and submit report expeditiously within one week, and the Commission also directs the Chairman, Odisha Grameen Bank, Bhubaneshwar, to take appropriate action and submit an action taken report to this Commission expeditiously within one week. Let a copy be also sent to the Chief Secretary, Odisha, for information and necessary action,” reads the NHRC order.

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