Sikh Federation Urges Inquiry Into Henry Nowak Death as 18-Year-Old's Case Fuels Abuse Claims
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Sikh Federation Urges Inquiry Into Henry Nowak Death as 18-Year-Old's Case Fuels Abuse Claims
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Summary
Dabinderjit Singh has asked three UK ministers to launch a judge-led public inquiry, arguing Henry Nowak's December 2025 death exposed preventable failures beyond the murder conviction.
Bodycam footage showed the 18-year-old saying "I can't breathe" while handcuffed after the stabbing, and the federation says police conduct, risk assessments and the IOPC probe remain under serious question.
The group also says courts and police let false claims about the murder weapon spread, arguing the fatal blade was not a kirpan and that the misinformation triggered at least a dozen reports of abuse against Sikhs in Southampton.
A jury inquest will open on 20 September 2027 to examine whether any police act or omission contributed to Nowak's death, after a coroner said Article 2 right-to-life obligations were engaged.
Police dismissed a dying victim's pleas for help. Can new laws fix the 'systemic biases' that led to his death?
A murder weapon was misidentified, sparking hate crimes. How can the justice system prevent the demonization of a religious symbol?
Amid debates over the weapon's name, is the UK ignoring the larger, more urgent crisis of knife crime itself?
The Death of Henry Nowak: Public Outcry, Police Accountability, and the Future of Knife Laws in the UK
Overview
The tragic death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in December 2025, murdered by Vickrum Digwa, sparked widespread public outrage and intense calls for accountability from both police and government. After Digwa’s conviction, harrowing police body-camera footage revealed serious missteps, fueling demands for reform and a national debate on policing standards, knife crime, and religious exemptions. The incident exposed deep community divisions, accusations of biased policing, and backlash against the Sikh community, while the Nowak family and leaders urged unity and transparency. Ongoing investigations and calls for a public inquiry highlight the urgent need for clearer laws, better policing, and restored public trust.