Prosecutors rest case in trial of man accused of killing wife

Prosecutors concluded their presentation of evidence on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, after four weeks of testimony in the murder trial of Naresh Bhatt. The 39-year-old defendant faces charges of first-degree murder, concealing a dead body, and defiling a dead body following the 2024 disappearance of his 28-year-old wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.

The trial, presided over by Judge Kimberly A. Irving, began with jury selection on Oct. 5, 2026. Throughout the proceedings, the state presented digital forensic data, including internet search history, and surveillance footage showing the defendant purchasing cleaning supplies. Additionally, forensic analysts testified regarding blood evidence discovered on a power saw inside the couple's home.

The final witness for the prosecution was Mahesh Kafle, the brother of the victim. During his testimony, he recalled a phone conversation in which his sister told him she did not feel safe and stated that he had previously advised her against marrying the defendant. Another witness, Mandira Shrestha, a friend of the defendant, testified about a request from Bhatt to retrieve jewelry.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt was reported missing after failing to arrive for her shift at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on Aug. 1, 2024. Although prosecutors allege that the defendant killed and dismembered his wife before disposing of her remains in area trash dumpsters, her body has never been recovered.

Defense attorneys have argued that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to secure a conviction, emphasizing the absence of the victim's body. With the prosecution's case now closed, the defense will begin presenting its own witnesses and evidence. It has not yet been determined if Naresh Bhatt will testify on his own behalf.