Husband of Missing Nepali Nurse Denied Bond; Deemed Flight Risk and Danger to the Community

Naresh Dutt Bhatt, the husband of missing Nepali nurse Mamta Kafle from Virginia, was denied bond by the court today. He appeared in court this morning for a hearing to determine whether he could be released on bond.

The judge denied the request, stating that Naresh is a “flight risk and a danger to the community.” Naresh’s lawyer argued that since Mamta has not been found, there was no reason to hold him without bond, but the court rejected this argument.

The hearing took place at 8:30 a.m. on Monday in Courtroom 6 of the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, where Naresh was physically present. The next court date is set for October 24.

This was Naresh’s second court appearance; his first was on Friday, when Prince William County prosecutors revealed more details about the case. They presented evidence that Naresh sold his Tesla, packed suitcases, and discussed selling his house after his wife’s disappearance, leading authorities to believe he was planning to flee.

Prosecutors also disclosed that bloodstains were found in the couple’s home, though it has not yet been confirmed if they are related to Mamta. They revealed that Naresh purchased three knives and cleaning supplies from different locations on July 30 and 31. Investigators have not yet located two of the knives, and they suspect the cleaning materials may have been used to sanitize a crime scene.

The prosecutor indicated that more charges could be brought against Naresh, citing his inconsistent statements about Mamta and noting that he was unemployed when she disappeared.

Court documents allege that Naresh killed his wife Mamta around July 30, 2024, at their residence. A substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence supporting this claim was recovered during the investigation. The documents also suggest that the body was inside the house before being moved.

Naresh faces a sixth-degree felony charge for concealing a body, which carries a minimum sentence of one to five years in prison in Virginia.

After his arrest on Thursday morning, Naresh has been held in custody without bond. He was arrested following an overnight search of his home, with authorities suspecting his involvement in Mamta’s disappearance. Naresh was handcuffed and taken from his house around 11:00 a.m.

Mamta’s one-year-old daughter is currently under the care of the Department of Social Services. She was wrapped in a blanket and taken from the house, with police assuring that she is safe and being cared for by an approved caregiver.

Mamta’s whereabouts remain unknown, and police have found no signs that she is alive. When officers visited her home on August 2 to inquire about her disappearance from Manassas on July 31, Naresh initially declined to report her missing. It was only on August 5 that he contacted the police to report her missing.