Even as thousands continue to protest her brutal end, the 23-year-old physiotherapist's family — far removed from the much-needed sympathy of the masses but in the midst of the glaring, questioning eyes of its curious neighbours — chose to shut itself up at their Delhi house.

And not without reason: hours after her body had been brought back home, only to be rushed back out for cremation, the male members of her family had returned only with sullen faces, broken hearts and just her memories a little later.

Her humble locality, some residents claimed, continued to remain the central point of a sad, farcical charade.

Every minute, the crowd of onlookers — staring intently at their bolted door for some movement.

"I think it'd be better if they just went back to their village; or just went anywhere else. People won't let them live or even die here in peace," said a shopkeeper.