A Sikh worshipper has come forward with allegations that Vickrum Digwa, the man convicted of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, threatened him at a local gurudwara several months before the fatal stabbing. The claims surfaced shortly after Digwa, aged 23, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for the December 2025 killing. During the trial, the court heard that Digwa used a large dagger and carried weapons associated with the Nihang Sikh tradition. His defense that he was racially abused by Nowak was dismissed by the jury.
Worshipper's Account of the Incident
A 25-year-old worshipper, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the encounter to The Times. He stated that Digwa confronted him inside Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Southampton in May 2025. According to the worshipper, Digwa approached him, grabbed his arm, and attempted to lead him outside for a discussion before elders intervened. The worshipper described this as one of several incidents involving Digwa and younger members of the congregation.
He alleged that Digwa challenged worshippers over their appearance, religious practices, and the way they wore their turbans. “It was almost like he was interrogating you to see if you were good enough to be within the gurudwara,” the man said. According to the worshipper, gurudwara leaders later raised concerns with Digwa's parents, who defended their son and dismissed the complaints. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Community Concerns
The account adds to growing unease within Southampton's Sikh community following Digwa's conviction. Several worshippers described his presence as intimidating and believed his conduct contradicted the faith's values. Digwa, who belongs to the Nihang order of Sikhism, had previously attended another Southampton gurudwara before moving to the one on St Mark's Road. A source at Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar told The Times that Digwa was barred from attending in 2023 due to concerns about his behavior. The source described him as aggressive and said the gurudwara quickly decided he was no longer welcome. These allegations have not been tested in court.
Some gurudwara elders expressed concern that Digwa frequently traveled into Southampton city center while carrying traditional weapons associated with the Nihang order. Digwa was born in 2003 and raised in Southampton by his British-born father, Moga Singh, who previously ran a valeting business, and his Indian-born mother, a housewife. Reports indicate that his parents married in India in 1995 in an arranged marriage before moving to Britain. Digwa later attended Saint George Catholic College.
Aftermath and Reflection
Reflecting on the months before the killing, the worshipper said he later began attending different gurdwaras to avoid crossing paths with Digwa. Looking back after Nowak's death, he realized how close he had come to an individual who would later be convicted of murder. “I was in the same scenario, but I managed to get out of it. Henry couldn't,” he said.
