A Sikh believer has claimed that Vickrum Digwa, who was convicted of murdering Southampton student Henry Novak, threatened him at a Southampton Gurudwara months before the fatal stabbing attack.The charges came days after Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the December 2025 killing of 18-year-old Henry Novak. The court heard that Digwa used a large dagger while carrying a weapon associated with the Nihang Sikh tradition. His claims that he was racially abused by Nowak were dismissed during the trial.A 25-year-old admirer, who asked not to be named, told The Times that Digwa confronted him inside the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Southampton in May 2025. He said Digwa approached him, grabbed his arm and tried to get him to discuss it outside the monastery, before the elders intervened.The worshiper claimed the incident was one of several conflicts between Digwa and younger members of the church. He claimed that some believers were questioned about their appearance, religious rituals and the way they wore headscarves.“It’s almost like he’s interrogating you to see if you’re good enough to enter the monastery,” the man said.According to the admirer, ashram leaders later raised concerns with Digwa’s parents. He claimed they defended his son and dismissed complaints about his behavior. The allegations have not been independently verified.The claims have heightened concerns among Southampton’s Sikh community following Digwa’s conviction. Several believers said his presence was intimidating and believed his actions were contrary to the faith’s values.Digwa, who belongs to the Nihang sect of Sikhism, had attended another monastery in Southampton before moving to the monastery in St. Mark’s Road. A source at the Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar told The Times that Digwa has been banned from attending the 2023 event due to concerns over his behaviour.Sources described him as aggressive and said the monastery quickly decided he was no longer welcome. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.Some monastery elders are said to have expressed concerns about Digwa regularly traveling to Southampton city center carrying traditional weapons associated with the Nihang order.Born in 2003, Digwa was raised by his British-born father Moga Singh, who ran a valet parking business, and his Indian-born housewife. Reports say his parents had an arranged marriage in India in 1995 and then moved to the UK. Digueva later attended St. George’s Catholic College.Recalling the months before the killings, the admirer said he later began attending different ashrams to avoid interacting with Digwa.Looking back on Nowak’s death, he said he realized how close he was to a man who was later convicted of murder.“I was in the same situation and I managed to get out of it. Henry couldn’t.”
