A judge has granted a speedy trial for a Manassas Park man accused of concealing the body of his wife, who hasn't been seen since July.
Naresh Bhatt appeared in court on Thursday, and a judge agreed to the defense’s motion to waive a grand jury, paving the way for a trial within months.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt has not been seen for over a month. The 28-year-old originally from Nepal moved to the U.S. for an arranged marriage in 2021. She recently missed her baby girl's first birthday, and her family members rushed to the U.S. to take care of the child.
Her husband was arrested at the couple’s home last month on a single charge of concealing a body. But in the criminal complaint, police accused him of killing Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Prosecutors have laid out chilling allegations, including that pooling blood was found in the primary bedroom and bathroom of the couple's home.
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Naresh Bhatt's defense gets speedy trial
Judge Carroll Weimer granted Naresh Bhatt's defense team their request to skip the grand jury process in favor of a speedy trial. The rare legal maneuver means prosecutors will have five months from the next hearing, which is scheduled for Sept. 16, to bring the case to trial.
Prosecutors had argued against a speedy trial, saying it would be challenging to be ready that quickly.
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"I have no doubt that the Commonwealth is putting together a very strong case," Mamta Kafle Bhatt's coworker Holly Wirth said outside the courthouse Thursday. "Mr. Bhatt thinks he’s smart, but I can guarantee you the weight of justice is leaning hard on him and we are going to see this come to fruition."
Wirth was among dozens of friends and community members who came to the hearing. Mamta Kafle Bhatt's mother and brother were also in court for the first time since they arrived from Nepal.
"They absolutley feel the love of the community and appreciate everyting the community is doing," Wirth said.
The defense is expected to ask for funds for expert testimony at the Sept. 16 hearing.
Manassas Park police do new search
As Thursday's hearing ended, Manassas Park officers and the Prince William County police search and rescue team were searching several areas for evidence, including the Blooms Crossing Community, the area surrounding Manassas Christian School, Camp Carondelet and part of Blooms Park.
It's still unknown if searchers found anything relating to the case.
"Hoping that they're getting closer to leads or something so we can just have closure and she can be laid to rest the right way," Manassas Park resident Patty Winske said.
Investigators with the Manassas Park and Prince William County police departments searched a different park on Friday.
Timeline of Mamta Kafle Bhatt's disappearance
Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a nurse, was reported missing after failing to show up for her shifts at work. Friends said that was highly unusual since she was caring for her baby and often active on social media.
Investigators have conducted multiple searches at the Bhatt home. Search warrants have revealed details about what investigators believe were Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s last days.
A detective wrote that on July 29 – the last day friends heard from Mamta Kafle Bhatt – there were numerous calls with her husband. After that, all calls went to voicemail.
Naresh Bhatt told police his wife destroyed her phone before July 31 — the day he told police that he last saw her.
But on Aug. 1, her phone was pinging in the Aldie area of Northern Virginia. Naresh Bhatt told police he was at a cafe there.
Police say they have video showing Naresh Bhatt at a Walmart purchasing cleaning supplies. He also went to a Walmart in Prince William County and purchased a set of knives. Two of those knives are now missing, prosecutors said.
Police conducted a welfare check on Aug. 2, and Naresh Bhatt reported his wife missing on Aug. 5, police said.
Bhatt was arrested on Aug. 22, one day after investigators were seen in the Bhatt family home.
Passports for Bhatt and his daughter were in full view when police entered the home for a search. Prosecutors said there’s evidence that Naresh Bhatt was in the process of packing up his home and selling his car.
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