Born on November 5, 1991, Akkriti Bhatia would have turned 18 this year. A teenager who loved music, computers and sports, her pursuits were not hampered by her asthma problems that had troubled her for nearly eight years. She was an avid tennis player, who regularly played at the Sirifort tennis courts, and was also a swimmer.

Her family members say she was also passionate about computers and spent hours playing games and surfing the Internet.

Her friendly nature won her numerous friends, who recounted her practical jokes even as they mourned her passing. Being fiercely loyal, a friend related that she could always count on Akkriti to “watch her back” in case of trouble. She was similarly protective of her younger brother Akshat, nearly nine years her junior, and the siblings always defended each other, said another friend.

In spite of being an average student and not averse to bunking classes, Akkriti had set her sights on a high score in the Class XII Boards. She wanted to take up Commerce at Delhi University.

Akkriti was strong-willed and vocal about what she believed in, say family members. “We argued all the time, but she always knew that I really love her,” said her aunt Payal. It was Akkriti’s memory and her strength of mind, said her friends, which gave them the will to continue protests despite the fear of punishment.