BHUBANESWAR: A 42-year-old YouTuber and self-styled motivational speaker who preached about building a “crime-free society” has been arrested for masterminding a ₹20 lakh burglary in Odisha’s capital, police said on Thursday.
The accused, Manoj Kumar Singh, was taken into custody in connection with a break-in at the Bharatpur residence of a newlywed couple on August 14. According to police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, Singh fled with gold ornaments worth around ₹20 lakh and ₹1 lakh in cash.
“We came to know about his notorious criminal history after arresting him. He had earlier been booked several times for theft and burglary in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh,” the commissioner said.
Double Life Exposed
Police said they were stunned to discover Singh’s carefully cultivated public persona. Videos surfaced showing him addressing locals and online audiences on the perils of crime, even urging youth to choose a better path.
“It was shocking to discover that someone who preached against crime was involved in such activities,” the commissioner noted.
A school dropout, Singh lived with his wife and teenage daughter in Nayagarh district. Investigators suspect he used his image as a motivational speaker to deflect suspicion from his continuing criminal activities.
When questioned, Singh admitted to the burglary but claimed he turned to crime to support his family. “He failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for not seeking legitimate employment,” an officer said.
Community Shock, Police Response
Neighbours expressed disbelief at the arrest. “We were aware of his past criminal records. But after listening to his speeches, we thought he had reformed,” said Subash Khuntia, a local resident.
Police have since recovered the stolen jewellery and cash, returning them to the victims. Commissioner Singh also said the department is exploring ways to rehabilitate the accused, including enrolling him in a vocational training programme, similar to initiatives previously launched for reformed offenders.
“Our aim is not just to punish, but to help individuals reintegrate into society,” the commissioner added, praising his team for swiftly cracking the case.
