(Henry Nowak’s family outside the court yesterday)

The sentencing of Vickrum Digwa to at least 21 years in prison yesterday is one step towards justice for the friends and family of Henry Nowak, who was murdered by Digwa in Southampton last December.

Digwa and his family are categorically condemned by British Sikhs, his mother has been convicted for assisting an offender, by hiding the murder weapon. His brother’s role has not resulted in a criminal conviction, but is repugnant, nonetheless. They have brought disgrace on the majority law abiding British Sikh community. The murder weapon was not a kirpan as has been incorrectly stated, but a 21 cm Persian blade known as a pesh-kabz – designed to go through chainmail. Digwa wore it as part of a Nihang (warrior-sect) subculture, and the court was clear this weapon was an offensive weapon, despite Digwa’s wrongful claims and misguided religious entitlement to carry it.

Political parties, playing to the sadly growing racism in the country are looking to ban the kirpan – despite it not being the murder weapon. Statistics show most knife homicides are carried out with everyday kitchen knives. Other groups like the Scottish also have an exemption for purposes of cultural heritage (Highland dress) to carry a dirk/sgian dubh – the latter has been used in at least one murder case.

The bodycam footage of Nowak’s last moments is harrowing, and we are alarmed as to why Nowak was handcuffed whilst dying and not believed when he told officers he had been stabbed. We hope the IOPC investigation leads to further justice for the family and we offer our sincerest condolences to the Nowak family for the loss of a young man with a bright future ahead of him.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations 

ENDS