A tribal man’s death in Garhwa district of Jharkhand has incited public anger as his family accuses a rural bank of obstructing timely access to funds needed for medical treatment. The family alleges that these delays directly impacted the man’s health, ultimately leading to his demise. They staged a protest at the bank on Monday, carrying the deceased, Ratan Lakra’s body, to demand accountability for what they consider negligence.

According to the family’s statements, Lakra had been relying on a government pension deposited in his account at the Jharkhand Gramin Bank. Allegedly, the funds were intended for essential medical treatment. Relative claims suggest that the bank manager required them to repeatedly visit the branch for almost three months to complete the mandatory e-KYC process which was necessary to access the account funds.

The family further asserted that the situation only improved after intervention from the regional manager, but by that time, Lakra was already in critical condition. They even transported the bedridden patient to the bank for the e-KYC verification, yet maintained they were left waiting for the money following the completion of the required documentation.

Protesters Blame Bank for Delays and Death

During the protest, the family strongly voiced their grievances, asserting, “We kept running from pillar to post. Even after the e-KYC was completed, we were not given the money. Today he has died because he could not get treatment.” Their frustration was palpable as they held the bank responsible for the financial mishaps and subsequent health consequences faced by Lakra.

Accompanied by other villagers, the grieving relatives demanded retribution against the bank employees they believe contributed to the delays. The incident has highlighted serious concerns about the access to banking services in rural areas, especially when families depend on timely financial disbursements for urgent medical requirements. Many community members joined in solidarity, asserting that the banking system must be held accountable for failures that affect residents’ well-being.

According to sources, this incident has drawn attention to the broader issues surrounding rural banking, particularly regarding how procedures like e-KYC can inadvertently delay crucial access to funds needed for health care. Government schemes intended to help citizens can sometimes become impediments when bureaucratic processes are not handled efficiently.

Bank Officials Deny Allegations of Holding Funds

In response to the allegations, the bank officials have categorically denied any wrongdoing. Vikas Kumar, a cashier at Jharkhand Gramin Bank, stated that the e-KYC process was indeed completed, and no restrictions were placed on withdrawing the money thereafter. He insisted that the funds remained available in the account, and no withdrawal was made because no family member visited the bank to do so.

The bank’s representatives maintained that once the e-KYC was finished, there were no further barriers to accessing the funds. In their view, the tragedy of Lakra’s death is not a result of their actions. The officials emphasised the account was operational and funds were accessible, disputing the family’s claims that delays had led to a loss of life.

This incident raises critical questions about the reliability and accessibility of banking services in rural regions of India, particularly in situations where families depend on welfare payments for urgent medical care. The case has initiated discussions on how to enhance banking protocols to better serve the needs of the community while also ensuring that patients receive timely medical treatment.

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