The Bank of India has officially acknowledged an incident that occurred at its Jagatsinghpur branch in Odisha on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, involving a customer who brought a human skeleton into the banking premises. In a statement released following reports of the event, the bank stated that the individual, identified as Saroj Kanta Das, was "inebriated" and "created a distressing situation" at the branch.

According to the bank's statement, employees at the Jagatsinghpur branch observed the customer behaving erratically. Branch staff reportedly tried to manage the situation and sought assistance. The incident drew significant attention after visuals from the bank went viral on social media platforms, showing Mr. Das holding a human skeleton at the counter.

Local police were alerted to the situation and subsequently arrived at the Bank of India branch. Saroj Kanta Das was arrested by Jagatsinghpur police officials in connection with the incident. Authorities also seized the human skeleton from Mr. Das for further investigation, sending it for forensic examination to determine its origin and authenticity.

Preliminary reports indicate that Mr. Das allegedly brought the skeleton to the bank with the intention of using its bones as "proof of life" to open an account. This account, he reportedly claimed, was for the purpose of receiving a pension on behalf of a deceased relative. This unusual action prompted concerns regarding the individual's mental state and the circumstances leading to him possessing human remains.

Police investigations have revealed that Mr. Das had previously been in possession of the skeleton. Sources familiar with the ongoing inquiry noted that the skeleton had been returned to him by police on an earlier occasion after it was initially found with him. The continuous possession and the subsequent incident at the bank have raised questions for authorities.

The Bank of India has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its customers and staff. The financial institution also indicated its cooperation with law enforcement agencies as the investigation proceeds. The incident underscores the challenges public service institutions can face when confronting unusual or distressing situations involving individuals seeking assistance under complex circumstances.

As of the latest reports, Saroj Kanta Das remains in police custody, and the forensic examination of the human skeleton is underway. The police investigation is continuing to ascertain the full details surrounding Mr. Das's possession of the skeleton, his motivations, and the sequence of events that led to the incident at the Bank of India branch in Jagatsinghpur. Further information is expected as the police inquiry and forensic analysis conclude.