A Sikh knifeman who murdered a university student in the street had been flaunting deadly weapons two years earlier, a video obtained by the Daily Mail reveals. Vikrum Digwa, 23, stabbed stranger Henry Nowak, 18, six times with a ceremonial Sikh blade in Southampton city centre last December.
Obsession with Weapons
Digwa's obsession with knives was evident long before the fatal attack. A video from May 2023 shows him performing a Gatka, a Sikh weapons demonstration, with his older brother Gurpreet at an event in London. The 30-second clip depicts the pair sparring with knives and small shields, dressed in traditional Sikh clothing and turbans.
Sources in the local Sikh community said Digwa and his brother were briefly Gatka teachers, but ties were cut due to concerns about Digwa's behaviour.
Fatal Attack and Police Blunder
Digwa did not know his victim but told a 'wicked lie' to officers, claiming Mr Nowak shouted racist abuse and knocked off his turban. Officers handcuffed the fatally injured student, who collapsed and died moments later. MPs reacted with fury, calling it a 'shocking example of two-tier policing'.
Hampshire Police apologised for arresting the dying teenager. Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said: 'I'm sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating.
Political Outrage
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: 'It is the most shocking example of two-tier policing I have ever seen.' Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added: 'The police seemed more interested in cuffing someone accused of making a racist comment than in saving a dying man.'
The case has caused international outrage, with tech billionaire Elon Musk offering to fund a private prosecution against the police.
Trial Details
The court heard that Mr Nowak was a finance student at the University of Southampton. He was speaking to friends on Snapchat when he encountered Digwa, who was openly carrying a large knife. A video shows Mr Nowak saying 'You're a bad man', to which Digwa replied 'I am a bad man'. After stabbing Mr Nowak six times, Digwa pursued him and filmed his victim.
Digwa's brother called 999 claiming a racial attack. Officers arrived and Digwa accused Mr Nowak of racism, a 'wicked lie about a dying man', said prosecutor Nicholas Lobbenberg KC.
