Trial set for husband in murder of missing Manassas Park mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt

MANASSAS, Va. – The murder trial of Naresh Bhatt, accused of killing his wife and missing Manassas Park mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is expected to begin in September 2025.

Bhatt’s charges were expanded Monday to include first-degree murder and desecration of a corpse, in addition to the previous charge of hiding a corpse.

Mamta’s supporters expressed disappointment after Wednesday’s hearing but acknowledged the process was lengthy before the trial began. Some oppose the March hearing that will decide whether the trial can be televised, but say it is ultimately the decision of Mamta’s mother and brother.

Supporters committed to attending every day of the trial and were visibly upset when Naresh shook his head on Wednesday as the judge explained the seriousness of the new charges against him.

The trial is expected to begin on September 8th and continue until October 2nd.

READ MORE: Naresh Bhatt charged with murder of wife Mamta Kafle, missing since July: Police

The trial dates were expected to be set on Tuesday, but as a Nepali interpreter was not available, the hearing was postponed to Wednesday.

Investigators have not found the body of 28-year-old Mamta Bhatt, but her DNA has been linked to blood found in the couple’s home, Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo announced Monday.

“From the beginning we believed she was murdered,” Lugo said at a news conference.

A search warrant executed while Naresh Bhatt was home with the couple’s baby turned up blood in the bedroom and bathroom, Lugo said.

There was evidence that Bhatt dismembered his wife’s body, which led to a defamation charge, he added. “I think we have good reasons for not having the body,” Lugo said.

Naresh Bhatt was charged with hiding a body three weeks after his wife disappeared in late July and remains in prison. A prosecutor pointed out in court that the amount of blood found in the apartment indicated non-survivable injuries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report