Indian-Origin Man Naresh Bhatt Found Guilty Of Murdering Wife Mamta Kafle In US

Indian-origin man Naresh Bhatt has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, in the United States, more than two years after her disappearance. A jury rejected his claim that the 28-year-old nurse died by suicide and that he dismembered her body in a panic after failing to revive her.

The jury also convicted the 39-year-old of concealing and defiling his wife's body. Mamta's remains have never been recovered.

The judge revoked Bhatt's bond following the verdict. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12 and could face life imprisonment, along with an additional five years for each of the body-related charges.

Naresh Bhatt Admitted To Dismembering Wife's Body

During his testimony last week, Bhatt told the US court that he used a saw to cut up his wife's body and dispose of it. However, he denied killing her, claiming that she had died by suicide.

Bhatt testified that on July 29, 2024, he went to bed around 8 pm with the couple's infant daughter, while Mamta did not come upstairs.

He claimed that he woke up around 4 am to use the toilet and noticed an unusual smell in the house. When he returned to the bedroom, he allegedly found Mamta lying on her back at the foot of the bed.

According to his testimony, she was surrounded by vomit containing ingested pills, blood and an open packet of Celphos, a highly toxic insecticide.

Bhatt told the court that he tried to resuscitate her for nearly an hour before realising she was dead. He then moved her body to the bathroom.

When asked why he did not call emergency services, Bhatt said he had panicked and was frightened.

"I don't know why I did not. I tried to call. I was really scared. I don't know why, something took over me. I was really, really panicked. I don't know," he told the court when questioned about not dialling 911.

Mamta Kafle's Family Testified During Trial

The jury heard testimony from several witnesses over more than a month, including Mamta's mother, Gita, and brother, Mahesh, who testified through an interpreter.

Her close friend and colleague, Sunita Basnet, also appeared in court.

Bhatt remained expressionless as the verdict was read out and briefly spoke with his lawyer. Members of Mamta's family hugged each other, while one family member thanked the prosecutor.

Disappearance Of Virginia Nurse Led To Husband's Arrest

Mamta Kafle, 28, worked as a registered nurse at a medical centre in Manassas, Virginia.

After the night of July 29, 2024, Bhatt reportedly denied knowing where his wife was. He told police and the media that he had last seen her at the dinner table before reporting her missing.

Her family's concerns grew because the couple's daughter was due to celebrate her first birthday just weeks later. Their suspicions contributed to an extensive search for Mamta and the investigation that eventually led to Bhatt's arrest.

Despite the trial and conviction, Mamta's body has not been found.