An Indian Uber driver has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape of a female passenger.
In December 2014, Shiv Kumar Yadav noticed his 25-year old passenger had dozed off during a ride in New Delhi, and drove her to a secluded area where he raped her and threatened her with harm if she went to the authorities.
Police were able to use a photo the woman took of Yadav’s number plates to identify him.
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Despite pleading not guilty, prosecutors successfully charged Yadav with rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation.
“He will serve regressive imprisonment, which shall mean imprisonment till natural death,” judge Kaveri Baweja said in his findings.
The case was heard in a special fast-track rape court, setup in the wake of public outcry over sexual assaults in recent years, including a 23-year old woman gang raped and murdered on a bus in 2012.
After the trial, Yadav’s lawyer DK Mishra told media, “My client is innocent.”
Yadav was an Uber driver for six months prior to the rape.
In the days following the incident, Uber was suspended in New Delhi and accused of not properly vetting its drivers.
Despite its global success, Uber has faced resistance from most governments and taxi unions.
In India, the backlash has been severe, with Uber drivers attacked by taxi unionists; fares capped and driver numbers restricted.
In response, Uber India said it has introduced 24/7 customer assistance and ramped up background checks.
The company responded saying the regulations were clearly aimed at protecting the taxi industry from innovative technology such as Uber.
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