Naresh Bhatta pleads not guilty in U.S. court to murder of missing wife Mamata

Dhangadhi: A relationship that began on social media led to marriage and a new life in the United States. The couple later welcomed a daughter, but their relationship reportedly deteriorated over the years, with frequent arguments, financial disputes, mutual threats, and allegations of domestic violence. Eventually, the wife disappeared, and her husband was charged with her murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

The case involves Naresh Bhatta, originally from Beldandi in Kanchanpur, and his wife, Mamata Kafle Bhatta, from Kavre. Mamata, who worked as a nurse in the United States, has been missing since the last week of July 2024. Naresh is facing trial at the Prince William County Circuit Court in Virginia, accused of murdering her, dismembering her body, and disposing of the remains. Her body has not yet been recovered.

Court hearings into Mamata’s disappearance have been underway for a month, with details of the couple’s marital relationship emerging during the proceedings. On Wednesday, the defense began presenting its case by calling Naresh to the witness stand.

During his testimony, Naresh acknowledged that the couple had argued almost daily since the beginning of 2024. He said he would threaten Mamata with divorce, while she would threaten to take her own life.

Naresh told the court that he refused to eat food prepared by Mamata and sometimes stopped speaking to her altogether. He said ignoring her initially helped calm her down, but the approach eventually stopped working. Although he acknowledged that their relationship had become toxic, he denied ever physically assaulting her.

However, testimony from Mamata’s relatives and friends has contradicted Naresh’s account. Her brother, Mahesh Kafle, told the court that Mamata had sent him photographs in early February showing injuries and bruises on her face. According to him, she wanted the pictures preserved in case they were needed later. Mahesh also testified that Mamata had repeatedly said she did not feel safe at home.

Mamata’s friend, Sarita Neupane, also told the court that Mamata had confided in her about being physically assaulted by Naresh. The court also heard that Mamata had opened a separate bank account with Sarita’s assistance.

From a $1,000 Dispute to Messages Referencing Suicide

Naresh’s testimony also addressed financial disagreements and messages exchanged between the couple.

He said that on Valentine’s Day in 2024, Mamata went out with her friend Sarita and invited him to join them. He declined, saying it was not a Nepali festival.

When Mamata returned home, Naresh discovered that $1,000 had been withdrawn from their joint bank account. He said that when he questioned her about the withdrawal, she denied taking the money.

Bank records, however, show that Mamata opened personal checking and savings accounts on the same day. Sarita testified that she had helped Mamata open a separate account because Naresh controlled her finances. Naresh has denied withholding money from his wife.

Messages presented in court also revealed the extent of the couple’s strained relationship. When Mamata sent a message saying she felt “thrown out” of the house, Naresh interpreted it as meaning that she felt “unwelcome.”

In another exchange, Mamata sent him a TikTok video from happier times, prompting an angry response from Naresh. She subsequently sent a message in Nepali asking him not to push her toward suicide.

Naresh admitted sending messages suggesting that Mamata would eventually regret her actions and that she was capable of doing anything for money.

The public prosecutor has characterized the messages as threats and psychological coercion. Naresh, however, argued that their meaning had been distorted during translation from Nepali. He said he had sent them while under considerable stress, fearing that a police visit to his home could cost him his job and security clearance.

From Medical Businesses in Dhangadhi to the U.S. Army

Naresh, a resident of Ward No. 2 of Beldadi Rural Municipality in Kanchanpur, worked as a medical representative in Dhangadhi until about 10 years ago. He also had investments in two medical businesses near Seti Provincial Hospital.

While his business was doing well, Naresh left for the United States on Shrawan 14, 2073 BS (July 29, 2016). He had traveled there with the intention of joining the U.S. military and enlisted in the U.S. Army a year later, in Asar 2074 BS (June/July 2017). At the time of his arrest, he was working in the U.S. Army’s Information Technology department.

Naresh first met Mamata through social media. Their acquaintance developed into a romantic relationship, and they married on Mangsir 25, 2077 BS (December 10, 2020). Mamata arrived in the United States eight months after their wedding. The couple welcomed a daughter about a year ago.

Mamata was last seen at her workplace on July 27, 2024. After a video call with her mother in Nepal on July 29, there was no further activity from her by phone or on social media.

On August 2, police visited the couple’s home after her colleagues requested an inquiry. Naresh told them that the couple was in the process of separating and suggested that Mamata might have gone to New York or Texas to visit relatives. Police later found that she had no family members in the United States.

About three weeks later, police searched the residence and arrested Naresh.

According to the prosecution, Mamata was murdered around July 30. Prosecutors allege that her body was dismembered, placed in trash bags, and disposed of. Her remains have yet to be recovered.

Naresh is facing charges related to first-degree murder, desecration of a corpse, and concealment of a dead body. He has pleaded not guilty.