The UK government is facing urgent calls to launch a statutory public inquiry into alleged "catastrophic multi-agency failures" surrounding the murder of 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak. The Sikh Federation UK, a non-governmental organization that works with major political parties on Sikh issues, has formally written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary David Lammy, and Attorney General Richard Hermer.
Alleged Failures and Misinformation
In the letter, the federation claims that crucial police intelligence was missed and that "highly damaging" misinformation about the murder weapon was allowed to spread during the trial. Henry was killed in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years last week.
Dabinderjit Singh, the Sikh Federation's chief executive of political engagement, argued that while the perpetrator has been brought to justice, serious questions remain over whether the student's death could have been prevented. "The wider systemic failures exposed by this case demand immediate, independent and transparent investigation," Mr. Singh wrote, labeling the current Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into Hampshire Police as "entirely insufficient." He added that the conduct of police officers and cultural issues during the trial were among "catastrophic multi-agency failures."
Police Intelligence and Bias Concerns
"Local intelligence indicates that Digwa was well known to law enforcement and 'on the police radar'," Mr. Singh continued. "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 criminalization of a dying victim. A statutory public inquiry is the only mechanism capable of delivering accountability."
Digwa used a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade, which prosecutors said during the trial was a kirpan he carried as part of his Sikh religion. While he was wearing a small ceremonial kirpan knife, his second blade, described by the trial judge as "a large Sikh dagger," was used as the murder weapon.
Weapon Mischaracterization
"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 letter said. "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 characterization of the weapon to stand unchallenged in open court, the justice system facilitated a highly damaging wave of misinformation."
Community Unrest and Attacks
The fallout from the trial has triggered widespread community unrest. On Sunday, thousands of Sikhs marched through London. While the demonstration primarily marked the 42nd anniversary of the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, it took place against a backdrop of recent violent protests reacting to Nowak's murder. According to Mr. Singh, targeted attacks on Sikhs have occurred "up and down the country" every day since Digwa's sentencing due to the public narrative surrounding the weapon.
In addition to the IOPC probe into Hampshire Police, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has announced a formal review of its anti-racism guidance. The specific guidance, which advises officers to tailor their approach to ethnic minorities to ensure equitable outcomes, has faced intense scrutiny from critics who claim it compromised the actions of the officers on the scene.
The Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Attorney General's Office have yet to issue a formal response to the Sikh Federation's demand for a statutory inquiry.
