Trial begins for Naresh Bhatt accused of murdering wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt

Virginia, USA, October 9, 2026 — The trial of Naresh Bhatt, who is accused of murdering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, in Manassas Park, Virginia, has begun with the selection of a 17-member jury and opening statements from prosecutors and the defense on Wednesday.

The jury includes six men and 11 women, including five alternate members. The trial is expected to last approximately seven weeks.

Bhatt is accused of murdering his wife and concealing her body, which has not been found since she disappeared in July 2024. He has denied all three charges against him: first-degree murder, concealing a body and defiling a body.

The judge has permitted cameras inside the courtroom but has prohibited live broadcasts of the proceedings.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew Sweet, representing Prince William County, delivered the prosecution’s opening statement. He asked jurors to remember Mamta’s life before she disappeared, describing how she called her mother every day, used social media and deeply loved her young daughter.

“How did all of that suddenly stop, and why?” Sweet asked.

Prosecutors allege that Bhatt gave police and the media implausible and fabricated explanations about his wife’s disappearance. Although her body has not been recovered, they contend that substantial and credible circumstantial evidence links him to the alleged crime.

According to prosecutors, blood was found inside the couple’s home and on a saw. DNA testing reportedly matched the blood to Mamta. The prosecution also alleges that Bhatt gave the saw to a property manager several days after his wife disappeared.

Prosecutors said they would present surveillance footage showing Bhatt purchasing cleaning supplies and wearing gloves while disposing of rubbish at various locations.

Investigators also found that Bhatt had searched Google for information about what would happen if his wife disappeared or died. Sweet told the jury that searches included questions such as, “What happens if your wife disappears during a divorce in Virginia?” and what would happen if a wife disappeared, if someone wanted a divorce, or if a wife died in Virginia.