Haldwani: Foreign-Returned Student Steals Women's Clothes To 'Relieve Stress', Arrested

The Nainital District Police have arrested a young man in connection with a series of late-night thefts of women’s clothing in the Mahesh Nagar area of Haldwani in Uttarakhand. The arrest follows the widespread circulation of security footage on social media showing a trespasser scaling residential walls. During interrogation, the suspect, who claimed to be a foreign-educated student suffering from severe psychological distress, stated that the acts provided him with a sense of mental relief.

Midnight Trespassing Caught on Camera

The investigation began after a resident of Mahesh Nagar, located on Nawabi Road, lodged a formal complaint at the Haldwani Kotwali police station. The complainant stated that at approximately 3:23 AM on June 19, an unidentified individual scaled an eight-foot boundary wall to enter her property before fleeing with women's undergarments and a salwar left outside to dry. Dehradun Shocker: Man Arrested After Assault on Pregnant Wife Leads to Foetus Death in Uttarakhand.

Niket Singh Bisht Arrested for Stealing Women's Clothes in Haldwani

उत्तराखंड –

हल्द्वानी में घरों में घुसकर महिलाओं के कपड़े चुराने वाला निकेत सिंह बिष्ट पकड़ा गया। आरोपी विदेश से उच्च शिक्षा प्राप्त कर चुका है। पूछताछ में उसने कबूला कि ऐसा करने से अजीब तरह की संतुष्टि मिलती थी। pic.twitter.com/QL3HcG2D3E

— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) June 25, 2026

CCTV cameras installed at the residence captured the entire incident. After the video went viral online, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Manjunath TC ordered the immediate registration of a criminal case. The investigation was spearheaded by Hiranagar police outpost in-charge Sanjeet Rathore, under the direct supervision of Station House Officer (SHO) Vijay Mehta.

Surveillance Leads to Inter-State Student

By analysing neighbourhood security feeds and tracking local intelligence, the police team located and apprehended the suspect on Wednesday near Panchayat Ghar Road. The accused was identified as Niket Singh Bisht, a resident of Sameer Vihar in Kusumkhera. During initial questioning, Bisht told investigators that he had moved back to Haldwani during the COVID-19 pandemic after studying abroad. He claimed that he suffered from persistent emotional and mental stress, and alleged that an acquaintance suggested the thefts as a bizarre method to find personal satisfaction and alleviate anxiety.

Medical and Psychiatric Evaluation Ordered

Following the interrogation, law enforcement officials noted that Bisht's behaviour and explanations deviated significantly from typical criminal motives. "The accused did not appear to be in a normal state of mind during questioning," stated SHO Vijay Mehta. Preliminary observations by investigators suggest the behaviour may align with kleptomania - a psychiatric disorder characterised by an irresistible urge to steal items that possess little to no personal or financial value. Officials emphasised that a formal diagnosis can only be established through a specialised medical examination, which the department intends to seek from mental health experts. Dehradun Shocker: Woman Dies Days After HIV Diagnosis in Uttarakhand; Husband, 4 Relatives Booked for Concealing Illness.

Zero Tolerance for Privacy Violations

Despite the medical angles being explored by investigators, the police maintain that the security and privacy of residents remain the primary legal focus of the case. "Strict legal action will be taken against anyone who violates the dignity and privacy of women," said SSP Dr Manjunath TC, reinforcing that trespassing and targeted thefts will face full legal prosecution regardless of the underlying behavioural causes. The police are continuing their background checks on the suspect to verify his academic history and determine if he has been linked to similar offences in neighbouring localities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 05:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).