Naresh Bhatt Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Mamta Kafle

VIRGINIA (U.S.) : Naresh Bhatt has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the case of his wife, Mamta Kafle, a Nepali-origin woman who went missing in the US state of Virginia.

A jury on Tuesday found Bhatt guilty of first-degree murder, as well as concealing a body and desecrating a body.

Police began investigating Bhatt after Mamta Kafle went missing on July 27, 2024. During the investigation, officers found bloodstains, strands of hair and other evidence inside the couple’s home.

During his testimony in court, Bhatt admitted that Mamta had died and that he had cut her body into pieces using a saw, placed the remains in different garbage bags and disposed of them. However, he denied killing her, claiming that she had died after consuming poison herself.

Prosecutors argued that Bhatt was responsible for her murder, citing various pieces of evidence, surveillance footage, phone records and forensic test results.

One of the most distressing aspects of the case is that Mamta’s body has still not been found.

Bhatt could face a prison sentence ranging from 20 years to life for the murder conviction. He could receive additional sentences for the other two charges.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 12. Following the guilty verdict, the court also revoked his bail.

The case has deeply affected Nepali communities in Nepal and abroad. The verdict marks a significant development for Mamta’s family, who have been waiting for justice for a long time.