Naresh Bhatt is on trial in Prince William County, Virginia, facing charges for the murder of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who disappeared from their Manassas Park home in July 2024. Prosecutors allege that Bhatt killed and dismembered his wife, while the defense contends the state’s case relies on speculation and gaps in evidence.
Blood on a Saw Links Naresh Bhatt to Victim
During opening statements, prosecutors revealed that Naresh Bhatt allegedly provided a saw to a neighborhood landscaper that was later found to contain blood matching Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s DNA. Prosecutor Matthew Sweet argued that forensic evidence recovered from the couple’s home, combined with suspicious internet search history, points to the defendant’s guilt. The landscaper, who worked on a nearby home, turned the tool over to authorities after realizing the victim had vanished. Prosecutors argue she would not have purposely disappeared just weeks before their daughter’s first birthday.
The defense maintains that the prosecution cannot account for the time surrounding the disappearance. “There is a sort of black hole at the time of Mamta Kafle’s disappearance and it’s a hole where evidence should be,” defense attorney Tracey Lenox told the jury.
Testimony from First Responders and Family
Sgt. Brady Pellath of the Virginia State Police testified that he responded to the Bhatt residence on August 5, 2024, after Naresh Bhatt requested to file a missing person report. Pellath told the court that Bhatt was rambling about his wife and them going through a hard time, and how at times she could be gone for a couple of days to do things. Pellath noted that he generated a “BOLO”—a Be On the Lookout alert—which provides a name, description, and sometimes a photo to law enforcement to notify them if they encounter a missing person.
Pellath noted that Bhatt asked if he had contacted the hospitals and jails. During testimony, a fire alarm briefly interrupted the proceedings, but Judge Kimberly Irving assured the jury they were safe to continue.
Gita Kafle, the mother of the missing woman, testified through an interpreter that she had been in daily contact with her daughter until late July 2024. When she could not reach her, she contacted Naresh Bhatt, who eventually told her that Mamta had gone to stay with friends. “My daughter is missing. I came to look for her,” she told the court. Kafle moved to Northern Virginia from Nepal following the disappearance to assist in the search. She described being visibly distraught while recounting that the daily morning and evening calls she shared with her daughter suddenly ceased.
Allegations of Domestic Abuse
Sarita Neupane, a close friend of the family, testified that Mamta Kafle Bhatt had confided in her about physical abuse and infidelity within the marriage. Neupane alleged that Mamta had once stayed at her home for nearly two weeks following a fight with her husband.
Neupane stated that she helped Mamta attempt to gain financial independence, including setting up a private bank account, because Naresh Bhatt had allegedly blocked her access to money and prevented her from using his car or getting her own car. Neupane further testified that she witnessed Mamta with a large bruise on her face, which she claimed was the result of a physical altercation with her husband. According to Neupane, this injury forced Mamta to reschedule their daughter’s rice ceremony, a Hindu tradition celebrating a baby’s first solid food. Neupane also testified that she was assisting Mamta with the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Judge Irving Presides as Jury Selection Extends
The trial is being presided over by Judge Kimberly Irving.
The jury selection process for the trial was extended, as many potential jurors had prior knowledge of the case due to the widespread search efforts for Mamta Kafle Bhatt following her disappearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has a body been recovered?
No. As of the current trial proceedings, Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s body has not been found, a fact acknowledged by both the prosecution and the defense.
When did Mamta Kafle Bhatt last speak to her family?
Her mother, Gita Kafle, testified that she last spoke to her daughter in July 2024 before the calls abruptly stopped.
What is the defense’s primary argument?
Defense attorney Tracey Lenox argued that the state lacks direct evidence and is attempting to fill gaps in the timeline with “ideas and speculations” rather than established facts.
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