The murder of Henry Nowak (18) has destroyed two families. This is what Bimla Kaur (75), the grandmother of perpetrator Vickrum Digwa, said in the British newspaper ‘Daily Mail’. “He was a difficult boy, but that is not unusual for children born in Britain,” he said.
Journalist at HLN
Source: Daily Mail
Nowak was stabbed five times on December 3, 2025 after a night out in Southampton. Digwa claimed to the police that he had acted in self-defense after Nowak “racistically attacked” him. However, that is not true.
These are the bodycam images in question. Please note, these are hard images
Bodycam footage now shows how officers blindly believed the killer. Nowak was handcuffed as he lay dying on the ground.
“We are in a difficult situation,” Bimla responds. “On the one hand, we must continue to support Digwa, but on the other hand, we share the intense grief of the victim’s relatives. This case has destroyed two families, both Henry’s and mine.”
Nihangs
Digwa are part of the Nihangs, a small minority within Sikhism. They are known for their striking blue clothing and large turbans. With the martial art Gatka they honor their ancestors who fought for their community 300 years ago. Elite warriors then used swords, daggers and spears to defend their temples against Muslim armies.
“He did something very bad”
That night, Digwa was carrying a ceremonial knife with a 21-centimeter blade. “Most of the men in our family are Nihangs. I am proud of that,” said Bimla. “They have defended Sikhism in the past. It is an important part of our faith.”
“Digwa was also dedicated, that way of life meant everything to him. However, such weapons are not meant to be used against innocent civilians. He did something very bad, there is no discussion about that. However, it makes me sad that the entire community is being tarred with the same brush. Digwa was a difficult boy, but that is not unusual for children born in Britain.”
“She did what any mother would do”
Digwa’s mother is in jail because she took the murder weapon home before the police arrived. “I went to visit Kiran (52), she is making the best of it,” Bimla adds. “She did what any mother would do, namely protect her child. And she is now being punished for that.”
Kiran married Moga in 1995. It was an arranged marriage. Not much later the couple moved to Southampton, where they had two sons. “Kiran raised them the best she could. She supported them to become Nihangs, which was a great honor for our family,” said Bimla.
Father and brother in hiding
After the bodycam footage went around the world, riots broke out in Southampton. “Moga had to go into hiding with his other son Gurpreet,” says Bimla. “They are no longer safe in their home. An attack has already taken place. It is a matter of time before that will happen again. They are now staying with relatives, but I fear they will never be able to return.”
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“We all live in fear because we are threatened. But all our family live in Southampton, we have nowhere else to go,” Bimla concludes.
“Ordinary bastard”
Jas Singh is Nihang himself and also knew Digwa. “He is a false supporter,” he says firmly. “Yes, weapons are important to us and we also learn how to use them. However, the rules clearly state that we can only use them to protect our faith and defend innocents.”
“The Nihangs are a righteous and noble people, but Digwa was an ordinary scoundrel. You meet plenty of people like that on the streets here. It takes more to become a Nihang than just having weapons and dressing in a certain way.”
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison six months after the facts. In practice, he must remain behind bars for at least 21 years.