A day after the teacher’s murder that sent shockwaves across the country, family members of the student locked themselves in their house.

A visit to their place at Parry’s corner in the city revealed that the family, residing in the area for perhaps over three decades, had shut itself off from inquisitive neighbours and the media.

“They were here even before I set up my shop in 1985,” says Mr Manoharan, who runs an engineering workshop in the area. “As a family, they have always been decent and quiet,” he says.

Neighbours say the student had a separate air-conditioned room and two cats for pets.

“He had three sisters and all of them were doing well in studies. Two girls are married and the first one is a dentist,” says Rani, a maid servant working in the neighbourhood.

Even as the neighbourhood is discussing Thursday’s murder in whispers, the family remains withdrawn on the second floor of an apartment in the cramped street, not allowing anyone inside.

Even a known person has to identify himself over the balcony before being allowed into the house.

“The family became rich and respectable in the area over a period of time. It is sad that they have to face this now,” remarks a neighbour.