Two Hampshire police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct over their handling of the fatal stabbing of student Henry Nowak.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the officers are being investigated over the arrest and handcuffing of Mr Nowak after he was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa on 3 December 2025.
They are also being investigated for their alleged failure to recognise that the 18-year-old finance student needed urgent medical help.
Digwa, who had stabbed Mr Nowak with a Sikh ceremonial knife, falsely claimed that the teen had racially abused him, leading the police to place Mr Nowak in handcuffs.
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The student told officers that he had been stabbed and could not breathe, but the officers ignored his pleas.
Mr Nowak then collapsed and died on a Southampton street.
Henry Nowak died after suffering a stab wound to the chest while on a night out with his football team-matesPAHis wounds included two to the back of his legs and a fatal wound to his heart.
Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years on 1 June for Mr Nowak’s murder.
He was also earlier convicted of carrying a bladed weapon in public.
His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, has been found guilty of assisting an offender by removing the weapon from the scene. She will be sentenced on 17 July.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it is investigating potential failures by the officers to realise that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to take action when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff him instead of providing first aid.
One of the officers is also under investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager’s claim that he had been stabbed.
Vickrum Digwa, pictured, falsely accused Henry Nowak of launching a racist attackPA MediaThe watchdog is also looking at whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision making.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: “We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Henry’s family and friends.
“Our investigators met with Henry’s family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded.
“We are obliged to constantly review the evidence obtained throughout our investigations and assess any indications of potential misconduct for officers involved. As a result, two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations.
“There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence.
“The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”