Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly A. Irving declared a polygraph test taken by defendant Naresh Bhatt inadmissible on Tuesday, the second day of his murder trial. The ruling came as the court finalized jury selection and revealed the extensive witness rosters filed by both the defense and the Commonwealth.
Polygraph Exclusion
Bhatt, who faces first‑degree murder, concealment of a dead body and physical defilement of a dead body charges in the 2024 disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, submitted a polygraph test to the court. Irving promptly denied its use, citing Virginia law that bars the admission of polygraph results. Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sarah Sami argued that the law only prohibits the results, not the questioning, but Irving maintained the exclusion and noted Bhatt could revisit the issue if additional case law is presented.
Witness Lists and Jury Selection
The Commonwealth’s list includes roughly 95 witnesses, among them friends, supporters and community advocates of the missing woman. The defense, represented by Chief Public Defender Tracey Lenox and Assistant Public Defender Laurel Rodewald, submitted a list of 17 witnesses, primarily six members of Bhatt’s family. All witnesses must remain absent from the courtroom until called to testify, per Irving’s order.
Jury selection progressed with Irving asking potential jurors eight questions. As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, about 62 prospective jurors remained, with 20 dismissed earlier in the day. The final jury will consist of 17 jurors and five alternates. Irving disclosed juror compensation at roughly $50 per day, amounting to about $1,400 for the entire seven‑week trial.
Trial Schedule and Background
The trial is scheduled to run four days per week—Monday through Thursday—excluding holidays such as Columbus Day, Election Day, Veterans Day and Oct. 22. Proceedings and deliberations are slated to conclude on Nov. 19.
Bhatt entered a not‑guilty plea on Monday and declined a plea bargain offered by the Commonwealth, though the terms were not disclosed. He previously requested a new judge on Monday, a request Irving denied.
Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a Manassas Park nurse and mother, was last heard from on July 29, 2024, and is presumed dead. Her last known alive moments likely occurred during the night of July 31‑August 1, 2024. No body has been recovered.
Community Impact
The trial has drawn significant local attention, reflecting community concerns about violent crime and the integrity of the judicial process. Residents have been following the case closely, and the court’s decision to exclude the polygraph underscores a commitment to adhering strictly to Virginia law.
As the trial proceeds, both the defense and the Commonwealth will present evidence and testimony aimed at establishing the truth behind Mamta Bhatt’s disappearance. The outcome will have lasting implications for the families involved and for public confidence in the county’s criminal justice system.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
