Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa’s grandmother breaks silence for first time

Vickrum Digwa’s grandmother has spoken publicly for the first time since he was jailed for life for the murder of Henry Nowak, saying the case has “destroyed two families”

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The grandmother of convicted killer Vickrum Digwa has said the case has “destroyed two families” as she spoke publicly for the first time about the murder of student Henry Nowak, a disturbing case that sparked national outrage and protests.

Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday after repeatedly knifing Henry before dishonestly telling police that he had been the victim of a racist attack. The case prompted massive demonstrations in Southampton, some of which descended into violence, reports the Express.

Now his grandmother, Bimla Kaur, 75, has disclosed the family are living in terror of revenge attacks, with some relatives compelled to go into hiding following the disorder.

She also stood by Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, who faces accusations of helping to hide the weapon used in the killing, claiming she behaved as “any mum would do”.

Speaking from her Southampton home, Mrs Kaur said: “This whole case has destroyed two families: Henry’s and mine.

“We are in a hard situation because we still have to support him [Digwa] but at the same time our hearts are broken and I’m very sorry for what’s happened.”

Describing her grandson as a “difficult boy”, Mrs Kaur told the Daily Mail the family had been left shattered but maintained his actions contradicted their beliefs.

Digwa is understood to have been part of the Nihang Sikh order, an ancient martial tradition known for its use of swords and other weapons in religious practice. Mrs Kaur said: “These weapons are not meant to be used on the innocent, so something has gone wrong. He’s done a very bad thing – there’s no argument over that.”

She added that while she remains proud of the family’s Sikh heritage, including members of the Nihang order, Digwa had betrayed that tradition.

The Nihangs are a historic Sikh martial order dating back centuries, known for their distinctive blue robes and traditional weaponry, and for practising Gatka, a form of armed combat training.

Digwa was regularly seen taking part in Gatka demonstrations and teaching Sikh youngsters at a local gurdwara near his home in Southampton.

Mrs Kaur said: “Most of the men in this family are Nihangs and so is Vickrum. As a Nihang, Vickrum was devoted to that way of life. It meant everything to him.

“It’s an important part of our faith and it’s something that I’m proud of.”

However, she added again: “But these weapons are not meant to be used on the innocent.”

Mrs Kaur said Digwa’s father Moga Singh and brother Gurpreet Singh have gone into hiding after their home was targeted following the conviction.

She said: “It’s not safe for them to be in their home because it was targeted the other night and it’s only a matter of time before it is attacked again.

“Both Moga and Gurpreet are with relatives in a safe place and I’m not sure if they’ll ever return.”

She added that the wider family were also living in fear of further attacks. “We’re all living in fear because we’ve had threats and are worried that we might also get attacked. But we’ve been in this city a long time and we don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, 52, is currently in custody awaiting sentencing for assisting an offender after she allegedly helped remove the weapon from the scene.

Mrs Kaur defended her, saying: “I’ve been to see her in prison and she’s doing the best she can. She only did what any mother would have done, which is to protect her child.

“And now she’s going to be punished for this.”

She added: “Kiran has done a good job raising those two boys and was very supportive of them becoming Nihangs. It’s a huge honour for our family.”

Digwa was handed life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after Judge William Mousley KC stated he had brought disgrace upon his family and faith.

The court was told Digwa was “weapons obsessed” and had carried numerous blades, including illegal weapons, alongside religious ceremonial items permitted under UK law.

His father Moga Singh and brother Gurpreet Singh have also been charged in connection with possession of multiple weapons including knives, a baton, knuckledusters and swords.

A business connected to the family in Southampton has reportedly shut temporarily following the aftermath of the trial.