Prosecutors told jurors Wednesday that Naresh Bhatt killed his wife and disposed of her remains, while his defense challenged the evidence as his murder trial opened, Court TV reported.
Bhatt has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, concealment of a dead body and physical defilement of a dead body. His wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a nurse and mother from Manassas Park, disappeared in July 2024.
Her body has never been recovered.
Prosecutor Matthew Sweet outlined a case based on circumstantial evidence. In his opening statement, he alleged that Bhatt killed Mamta, dismembered her body and discarded the remains in trash compactors, Court TV reported.
Sweet cited a reciprocating saw allegedly bearing Mamta’s blood and DNA. He also pointed to unusually high water use at the couple’s home, which prosecutors contend reflected efforts to clean the scene. These remain prosecution allegations for the jury to weigh.
Defense attorney Tracey Lennox argued that the prosecution’s evidence would leave fundamental questions about Mamta’s disappearance unanswered, according to Court TV. She acknowledged marital problems and discussions about divorce but disputed that the evidence would conclusively connect Bhatt to his wife’s presumed death.
Witness testimony began later Wednesday. Manassas Park police Sgt. Brandon Johnson described an Aug. 2, 2024, welfare check at the couple’s home, WJLA reported.
Johnson testified that Bhatt told officers Mamta had gone to Texas or New York with her sister and had smashed her phone. Bhatt did not describe her as missing during that visit, according to Johnson’s testimony as reported by WJLA.
Twelve jurors and five alternates were seated Wednesday following three days of jury selection, a separate WJLA report said. Judge Kimberly Irving instructed them not to discuss the case or conduct their own research. The trial is expected to last about seven weeks.
