SPECIAL REPORT | Stepping into T Nhaveen’s home, one will notice a faint fluorescent light and an altar in the living room.

The portrait of the young boy was placed on the table, framed with white garlands, surrounded by fruits and flowers. The floor was full of trays holding rice, petals and spices.

“Today is actually one year after he left us. For us, the pain is still the same, nothing has changed,” said Nhaveen’s mother Shanti Dorairaj. There was a long silence after Shanti uttered those words.

In June last year, Nhaveen was attacked violently on his way home. He was found and sent to Penang Hospital the next morning, and eventually passed away. At the time, Nhaveen was 18....