Naresh Bhatt, who is accused of hiding a dead body related to his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt's disappearance, wants to have his trial soon.

His defense team says that the prosecutors don’t have enough evidence to prove their case. They are asking the court to force the prosecutors to provide evidence showing that Naresh Bhatt wasn’t with his wife when she disappeared.

Since Naresh Bhatt was arrested over two weeks ago, his lawyer, Shalev Ben-Avraham, has been working quickly to move the case along. Naresh has already given up his right to a preliminary hearing and the grand jury process to speed things up. Because he is in jail awaiting trial, the law gives prosecutors only five months to bring him to court.

The defense claims that the prosecutors are pushing the case forward even though they’re not sure if Mamta is dead and are still investigating. They think this is why the trial is being delayed.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth had previously said she didn’t know if Mamta was alive or dead, but hasn’t commented since. The police haven’t found her body despite several searches, and Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo has said there’s no evidence that Mamta is alive.

Public outcry has arisen, with many asking why Naresh hasn’t been charged with murder, especially since his criminal complaint says he killed his wife.

Naresh’s lawyers argue that he was charged too soon. They believe the prosecutors had plenty of time to investigate.

Naresh Bhatt was charged after police found evidence suggesting a dead body and blood were in their home. The prosecution says this evidence, along with other items like knives and cleaning supplies, supports the charge.

Naresh’s lawyers are asking the court to make the prosecutors hand over crucial evidence, including video footage of Mamta leaving work and any related data. They believe this evidence might prove Naresh’s innocence by showing he wasn’t with Mamta when she disappeared.

Naresh Bhatt will return to court to discuss this on Friday, September 13 at 9 a.m.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt