Mamta Kafle Bhatt Husband's Trial Set For September 2025 After New Charges

MANASSAS PARK, VA — As the husband of missing mom Mamta Kafle Bhatt faces new charges of murder and physically defiling a dead body, a new trial date has been set that is nine months later than the one his attorney's had pushed for.

A judge in Prince William County Circuit Court set a Sept. 8, 2025, trial for Naresh Bhatt, 37. While Bhatt was originally scheduled to go to trial next week on the charge of concealing a dead body, a grand jury indicted Bhatt on the new charges Monday.

The Associated Press reported the trial could take about four weeks. Court TV is seeking to televise Bhatt's trial, but that decision is up to the judge.

Kafle Bhatt, 28, a mom and registered nurse, was last seen at her workplace at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27. Her friend, Nadia Navarro, heard from her on July 28. Police did a welfare check on Aug. 2, but Bhatt declined to report his wife as missing at that time. Bhatt reported his wife missing on Aug. 5 and claimed to have last seen her on July 31.

Neither Mamta Kafle Bhatt's body nor remains have been located, according to authorities.

Prosecutors presented evidence to a grand jury as they sought the new charges against Bhatt. NBC Washington reported that Bhatt was caught on surveillance footage getting rid of trash bags at locations around the region. Other footage showed Bhatt purchasing items like knives and cleaning supplies. In addition, a bathmat containing blood turned up at a donation site.

According to an InsideNoVA report, prosecutors said blood was found in the couple's bedroom and it appeared that someone may have been dragged across the floor. Additionally, authorities found a packed suitcase in the home and Bhatt reportedly sold his Tesla and attempted to sell his house in recent weeks, InsideNoVA reported.

The couple's 1-year-old daughter was with Naresh Bhatt until his Aug. 22 arrest, when social services took custody of the child. The child has since been reunited with Mamta's relatives, who traveled from Nepal on an emergency visa.

According to NBC Washington, Mamta's family asked for privacy as the case against Naresh Bhatt proceeds.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.