Naresh Bhatt, a 39-year-old Indian-origin man, testified in a Virginia court on November 5, 2026, admitting he dismembered his wife’s body with a saw but denying he murdered her. Bhatt claims his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, died by suicide in their Manassas Park home on July 30, 2024.
The trial, which has drawn significant attention due to the absence of the victim’s remains, centers on the events inside the couple’s home in late July 2024. As reported by India Today, this testimony marks the first time Bhatt has provided a public account of the night his wife disappeared. He faces charges of first-degree murder, concealing a dead body, and defiling a dead body, all of which he denies.
Naresh Bhatt testified that he used a saw to cut Mamta Kafle Bhatt's body apart and placed her remains in trash bags. When asked whether he did it so her body would not be found, Bhatt answered, “Yes.” MORE: https://t.co/wJcspb6Ivh pic.twitter.com/Gyea2Pw9f0
The Testimony of the July 30 Incident
Bhatt told the jury he went to bed at 8 p.m. on July 29, 2024, with the couple’s infant daughter. Upon waking at 4 a.m. the following morning, he claims he discovered Mamta lying on the floor of their bedroom surrounded by vomit, an empty packet of the insecticide Celphos, and various pills. He testified that he attempted to resuscitate her for nearly an hour before moving her body to the bathroom.
When questioned by his defense attorney, Tracey Lenox, regarding why he failed to contact emergency services, Bhatt struggled to provide a coherent explanation. “I don’t know why I did not. I tried to call. I was really scared. I don’t know why, something take over me,” he said. According to Court TV, Bhatt further noted that despite over 3,500 hours of meditation practice, he still lacks an answer for his inaction during those critical hours.
Dismemberment and the Search for Evidence
The prosecution’s case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence, as the body of Mamta Kafle Bhatt has never been recovered. Bhatt admitted to traveling to Home Depot with the specific intent of finding a way to hide a body. He testified that he initially considered disposing of her remains in the Potomac River but ultimately attempted to place her in a household trash bin.
Bhatt acknowledged using a saw to dismember his wife’s body in the family bathroom after realizing she would not fit in the bin. He claimed that he was unable to finish the process, stating, “Mentally and physically I was powerless.” Investigators reported finding traces of blood in the bathroom area using Bluestar, a forensic chemical, which has become a focal point of the prosecution’s argument. Bhatt has denied allegations of abuse, despite testimony from friends who claimed the couple had a troubled relationship.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last confirmed sighting of Mamta | July 29, 2024 |
| Estimated time of death (per prosecution) | July 30, 2024 |
| Testimony given by Naresh Bhatt | November 5, 2026 |
The Prosecution’s Circumstantial Case
Because no body has been recovered, the prosecution has built its case on forensic evidence and witness accounts of the couple’s domestic life. Several witnesses testified that they believed it was impossible for Mamta to have left her infant daughter voluntarily. Bhatt’s defense team maintains that without the victim’s remains, the prosecution cannot prove that a murder actually took place.
Bhatt, who was born in New Delhi and later lived in Nepal before moving to the United States, testified about his background, including his service in the U.S. Army. As the trial proceeds, the jury must weigh his admission of post-mortem desecration against his persistent denial of the murder charge itself. The court is expected to continue hearing evidence as both sides address the lack of physical remains and the conflicting narratives regarding the events of July 30, 2024.
