Sikh lobby urges inquiry into death of Henry Nowak
A Sikh advocacy group demands a government probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of Henry Nowak, citing systemic failures. The call comes after evidence of delayed medical intervention and procedural lapses.
LONDON — A leading Sikh advocacy organization has formally requested a government-led public inquiry into the death of Henry Nowak, a 42-year-old community leader found dead in a London detention facility last March. The Sikh Council UK alleges "grave failures" in medical oversight, procedural neglect, and institutional bias contributed to Nowak’s demise, prompting urgent calls for accountability.
📋 Key Timeline
- March 12, 2023 — Henry Nowak arrested in Southwark on suspicion of public order offenses
- March 15, 2023 — Detained at HMP Brixton; medical records show no mental health assessment
- March 22, 2023 — Found unresponsive in cell; pronounced dead at 3:17 p.m.
- October 4, 2024 — Coroner’s inquest records cause of death as "natural causes with contributing factors of neglect"
The Sikh Council UK’s submission to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, filed today, demands a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005. It cites evidence from coroner’s reports, witness statements, and internal prison logs that reveal Nowak was denied routine medical checks despite visible distress in the days leading to his death. His family has supported the call, describing his treatment as "institutional indifference."
Nowak, a father of two from Newham, had no prior criminal record but was held on remand for 10 days. Coroner Dr. Fiona Wilcox noted in her report that prison staff failed to follow the Prison Service’s own suicide prevention protocols, a recurring issue highlighted in 11 previous inquests across England and Wales since 2020.
| Issue | Prison Service Policy | Actions Taken in Nowak Case |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Screening | Mandatory within 24 hours of arrival | Not conducted |
| Daily Welfare Checks | Required for 'at-risk' detainees | Missed on 3 occasions |
| Emergency Medical Response | Immediate assessment for visible distress | Delayed by 11 hours |
In a statement, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said the government would "carefully review" the council’s request but did not commit to a full inquiry. "We take all deaths in custody with the utmost seriousness," Chalk said. "However, we must balance the need for transparency with operational independence."
💡 Pro Tip
Families of detainees should request copies of all prison logs, including medical and welfare records, within 48 hours of a death to preserve evidence for future legal challenges.
The Sikh Council UK is not alone in its demand. The charity INQUEST, which tracks state-related deaths, has documented 213 deaths in prisons and immigration detention since 2020, with 68% involving failures in care. Nowak’s case mirrors patterns seen in other high-profile deaths, including that of Oscar Okwurime, who died in 2019 at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre after being denied medical treatment.
- Independent Oversight — The council urges the appointment of an independent panel, including Sikh community representatives and medical ethicists.
- Data Transparency — Calls for real-time public reporting of all deaths in custody, including ethnicity and cause of death.
- Legal Reform — Proposes mandatory judicial reviews for all deaths within 30 days of detention.
Nowak’s brother, Raj, said: "Henry was a pillar of our community. He didn’t deserve to die like this, locked up and ignored. We want answers, not just sympathy." The family is preparing to file a civil claim against the Ministry of Justice next month.
Key Points
- ⚠️ Sikh Council UK demands a statutory inquiry into Henry Nowak’s death
- 📊 Coroner ruled neglect contributed to his demise
- 💡 Prison logs show multiple breaches of welfare protocols