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 jailed for life on Monday after repeatedly stabbing Henry before falsely claiming to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack. The case triggered large demonstrations in Southampton, some of which turned violent.
Now his grandmother, Bimla Kaur, 75, has revealed the family are living in fear of reprisals, with some relatives forced into hiding following the unrest.
She also defended Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, who is accused of helping to conceal the weapon used in the killing, saying she acted 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 devastated but insisted his actions went against 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 is proud of the family’s Sikh heritage, including members of the Nihang order, Digwa had abused 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 sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after Judge William Mousley KC said he had brought shame on his family and religion.
The court heard Digwa was “weapons obsessed” and had carried multiple blades, including illegal weapons, in addition to religious ceremonial items permitted under UK law.
His father Moga Singh and brother Gurpreet Singh have also been charged in relation to possession of multiple weapons including knives, a baton, knuckledusters and swords.
A business linked to the family in Southampton has reportedly closed temporarily amid the aftermath of the trial.
Some members of the Sikh community have distanced themselves from Digwa, describing him as an “imposter” who misused religious tradition.
One community member said: “Digwa had a really bad temper and thought he could get away with anything. A lot of people here didn’t like him.”
Another added: “He disgraced us all.”
