Thursday’s testimony in the Manassas Park, Virginia, murder trial of Naresh Bhatt focused largely on banking records tied to Bhatt and his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, whom prosecutors say he killed in late July. He has pleaded not guilty.
Mamta opened Chase checking and savings accounts in February 2024. The accounts were opened in her name only, a J.P. Morgan Chase records custodian testified. In some instances, a different address from the couple’s shared home was listed.
Naresh’s defense team said the separate accounts were to allow Mamta the ability to build her own credit. But the prosecution pushed back, saying that the couple was facing marital strain and it could also be that Mamta wanted to have her own money.
“Is it another possible reason to purchase things?” The prosecution asked. “Have your own money.”
Robert Campbell, a J.P. Morgan electronic crimes investigator, testified that he reviewed account access logs connected to Mamta’s accounts. He said records showed logins on July 28 and July 29, 2024, and described the activity as simple account checks rather than transactions.
“It’s just a login. They just log in and look at the account,” he said.
Campbell also testified that account activity seen later in August appeared to be tied to automated banking functions rather than a person actively using the accounts.
The jury had heard Wednesday about text messages between the couple that prosecutors suggested their marriage was under strain and it appeared to indicate that they were living apart at the time.
Testimony about Bhatt’s sale of his Tesla to CarMax after Mamta disappeared was heard Thursday. A CarMax manager testified the vehicle went through the company’s normal cleaning and reconditioning process before being resold.
The judge adjourned early for the day, and the trial was not scheduled to resume until Monday, when the prosecution said it expects to rest its case.
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