The murder trial of Naresh Bhatt, accused of killing his wife Mamata Kafle Bhatt in Virginia, USA, is set to begin on Monday, October 5, 2026, with jury selection continuing and opening statements expected to follow. Mamata’s body has not been recovered, but prosecutors suspect Bhatt dismembered her using a power saw.
Naresh Bhatt faces charges of first-degree murder, concealing a body, and physically abusing a dead body. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is expected to last approximately seven weeks.
Court proceedings and media access
Judge Kimberly Irving of the Prince William County Circuit Court has allowed two cameras to record the proceedings but prohibited live broadcasting to protect the privacy and security of potential jurors. Media outlets are permitted to take photographs and use recorded video in their news reports. The judge indicated that rules regarding camera use might change as the trial progresses, and media can petition for full publication of the proceedings at the end of the trial.
Prosecution’s case and key evidence
Prosecutors plan to present forensic evidence, including blood found in the master bedroom and bathroom of the Bhatts’ home, suggesting a body was dragged. New forensic evidence, including human hair and fragments, was found in May 2026 linked to a saw, which the prosecution believes Naresh Bhatt used to dismember Mamata. Digital evidence, such as online searches for “diagram of brain” and “chicken farm near house” made by Naresh Bhatt on July 30, 2024, and videos showing him disposing of trash bags in dumpsters not near his home, will also be presented. Investigators believe Mamata died on July 30, 2024.
Defense arguments and denied requests
Naresh Bhatt’s defense attorney, Tracy Lennox, had sought more time to review extensive scientific evidence, consult experts, and prepare the defense, citing language barriers with Nepali and Hindi evidence. Judge Irving denied requests to postpone the trial due to concerns about potential loss of witnesses and evidence, and also rejected a proposal to change Bhatt’s lawyer less than two weeks before the trial.
Background and timeline
Mamata Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old nurse and mother of a one-year-old daughter, was last seen by colleagues at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27, 2024. She last communicated with her mother on July 29, 2024, via video call. Friends reported her missing on August 2, 2024, after she stopped going to work. When officials conducted a welfare check at the Bhatts’ home, Naresh Bhatt told them Mamata had gone to visit family, a claim prosecutors say was false as she had no family in the US. Naresh Bhatt reported her missing on August 5, 2024, but police arrested him on August 22, 2024, initially for concealing a body. A grand jury later indicted him on additional charges of first-degree murder and physically abusing a dead body in December 2024. Mamata’s mother and brother traveled from Nepal in 2024 to care for her daughter, Nima, now three years old.
Unanswered questions
Mamata Kafle Bhatt’s body has not yet been found. The exact circumstances of her death and the disposal of her remains are still unknown, though investigators suspect dismemberment. Naresh Bhatt maintains his innocence. The future custody of their daughter, Nima, remains a concern for Mamata’s family.
