Husband of Missing Nepali Nurse Mamta Kafle Handcuffed and Arrested After Overnight Search

Manassas Park police in Virginia have arrested Naresh Bhatt, the husband of missing Nepali nurse Mamta Kafle, following an overnight search of his residence. Bhatt was taken into custody on Thursday morning at approximately 10:45 AM after a thorough investigation led authorities to his home. The exact charges against Bhatt have not yet been disclosed.

The arrest comes as part of an intensified investigation into the disappearance of Mamta Kafle, who has been missing since July 31. Police had previously identified Bhatt as a person of interest, noting his lack of cooperation with the investigation.

On Wednesday evening, police initiated a search of Bhatt’s residence, sealing off the area with yellow tape and deploying more than 10 police vehicles. The search continued into the early hours of Thursday morning. During the operation, Bhatt’s one-year-old daughter, who had recently celebrated her birthday, was also taken from the house by authorities.

Mamta Kafle’s condition remains unknown as of 12 PM on Thursday. The 28-year-old registered nurse was last seen at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center on July 27, and her last known contact with anyone was on July 28. She was reportedly last seen by her husband on July 31.

Authorities had previously revealed that Kafle had reduced contact with her family, friends, and employers in the days leading up to her disappearance, leading them to classify her case as an involuntary and serious missing person. Additional resources have been allocated to the investigation, which remains ongoing.

The police are urging anyone with information on Mamta Kafle’s whereabouts to contact them at 703-361-1136 or anonymously at 703-330-0330. Meanwhile, a non-profit organization has offered a $5,000 reward for any information that could lead to finding her. The Nepali community in America continues to express hope on social media for her safe return.