Call for Public Inquiry into Henry Nowak's Death
A Sikh lobby group has urged the government to initiate a public inquiry into the "failures" surrounding the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who died in Southampton in December 2025.
Nowak was fatally stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who claimed the knife he carried was part of his Sikh religious practice.
Dabinderjit Singh, chief executive of political engagement at the Sikh Federation, has addressed a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary David Lammy, and Attorney General Richard Hermer, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
"Misinformation about the murder weapon has been highly damaging to Sikhs," Singh stated.
Recently released bodycam footage by Hampshire police, with consent from Nowak's family, reveals Nowak repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" while handcuffed and dying after being stabbed by Digwa.
A jury inquest is scheduled for next year to examine the broader circumstances of Nowak's death.
Legal Framework Regarding Religious Blades
Under current UK legislation, practising Sikhs may carry a small blade called a kirpan close to the body; however, drawing it in an act of aggression is illegal.
Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 provides a defence for individuals charged with carrying a bladed article in public if it is for religious reasons. This also applies to items worn as part of national dress, such as the sgian dubh in Scottish Highland dress.
However, if the blade is used in violence, it is classified as an offensive weapon.
While Digwa carried a small kirpan, the murder weapon was identified as a second blade, described by the trial judge as "a large Sikh dagger."
The Southampton-based Sikh Federation previously stated that this second blade was not a kirpan. The Network of Sikh Organisations concurred, describing it as a "Persian blade known as a pesh-kabz – designed to go through chainmail," worn as part of a Nihang (warrior-sect) subculture.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) responded that Digwa chose to carry two ceremonial knives and that the judge agreed with the assessment that the blade used was a kirpan.
Community Impact and Response
Speaking to the BBC, Singh reported "at least a dozen" incidents of physical or verbal abuse against Sikhs in Southampton following the case.
"People can't do their daily jobs, school children at school are being harassed," Singh said. "In the court they said 'Digwa said it was his Kirpan.' Well he was a liar - he's a liar and he's a murderer."
Singh added that the Sikh community has been "pushed under a bus" and is calling for a "judge-led public enquiry," which he believes will help alleviate some of the anger directed at Sikhs.
He expects a government response "within a matter of days."
Criticism of Investigations and Calls for Transparency
Singh's letter criticized the Independent Office for Police Conduct's (IOPC) investigation into Hampshire police as "entirely insufficient."
Alongside the IOPC investigation, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) announced a review of anti-racism guidance, which advises police to treat ethnic minorities differently to improve outcomes. Some have blamed this guidance for the officers' actions during Nowak's arrest.
"While criminal justice has been served against the perpetrator, the wider systemic failures exposed by this case demand immediate, independent and transparent investigation," Singh wrote.
He highlighted police conduct and cultural issues during the trial as part of the "failures," noting serious questions remain about whether Nowak's death was preventable.
"A wider inquiry must establish why this critical intelligence failed to inform the responding officers' risk assessments, and whether systemic biases contributed to the immediate criminalisation of a dying victim," he added.
Legal Findings and Upcoming Inquest
During sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC stated that pathology evidence showed Nowak would not have survived regardless of how quickly he received first aid, CPR, or expert medical treatment.
A full inquest into Nowak's death is scheduled to open at Winchester Coroner's Court with a jury on 20 September 2027. The inquest will examine whether any "act or omission by a police officer" caused or contributed to his death.
Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg explained that while the crown court trial and conviction of Digwa had largely established "how" Nowak died, he must determine if there is "sufficient reason" to explore the death further.
His reasons include the "significant scrutiny and comment" and public interest following the details revealed about Nowak's death, as well as the fact that Nowak was arrested and in state custody when he died.
Pegg also noted that the "right to life" obligations under Article 2 of the Human Rights Act were engaged in this case.
He emphasized the importance of allowing Nowak's family to scrutinize the events of that night and participate in proceedings, which the inquest would facilitate for both the family and the public.
The coroner also mentioned the duty to "identify risks to life" to help prevent future deaths.
Police and Official Responses
Hampshire Chief Constable Alexis Boon has apologized to Nowak's family, stating,
"I'm so sorry you've had to go through this."
He also said he would not pre-judge the outcome of the IOPC investigation into the police response.
The IOPC has been contacted for comment.
Concerns Over Weapon Classification
Singh's letter also addressed the classification of the weapon used in the stabbing, stating,
"Under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and its July 2022 statutory guidance, a kirpan is clearly defined and understood to feature a curved blade.
The prosecution and police possessed the weapon for over six months; they knew, or ought to have known, that the blade of the weapon was straight, not of Sikh origin, and could not be a kirpan.
By allowing a convicted murderer's false characterisation of the weapon to stand unchallenged in open court, the justice system facilitated a highly damaging wave of misinformation."
Community March and Ongoing Tensions
Thousands of Sikhs marched in London on Sunday to mark the 42nd anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, an event in which hundreds were killed.
The march occurred amid violent protests following Nowak's murder.
At the march, Singh stated that attacks on Sikhs have occurred "up and down the country" daily since Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Judge William Mousley KC, during sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on 1 June, remarked that Digwa had brought "shame" upon his family and religion.
Government Statement
A Home Office spokesperson said,
"We recognise the concern felt by the Sikh community and strongly condemn any hate crime or intimidation to anyone.
We continue to work closely with the police and other partners to strengthen protections for faith communities against hate crime. We urge anyone affected to report hate crime to the police."
