An Indian court has found former Uber driver Shiv Kumar Yadav guilty of raping a woman who had requested a ride through the car service app.
Yadav was convicted Tuesday on four charges related to the New Delhi crime, including rape and putting a woman's life in danger.
The December incident sparked protests, and authorities responded by pulling Uber cars off the road. About six weeks later, Uber resumed operations in New Delhi and applied to be licensed like a traditional taxi service.
"Sexual assault is a terrible crime and we're pleased he has now been brought to justice," Amit Jain, president of Uber India, said in a statement.
Yadav had entered a plea of not guilty. He will face a sentencing hearing on Oct. 23.
Following the crime, Uber added new safety features, including a panic button and enhanced background checks. The company also committed to creating "a dedicated local Incident Response Team" and expanding its tracking feature to "allow users to easily share their trip details and real-time location with up to 5 friends and family members."
Related: Uber includes 'panic button' in India app
"Safety is a priority for Uber and we've made many improvements," Jain said Tuesday. "That said, Uber can always do better, which is why are continually looking for ways to improve safety before, during and after the ride."
At the time of his arrest, police in New Delhi said Yadav's address and background weren't verified in his driver registration, raising questions about how he was able to work as an Uber driver.
Yadav had previously been accused of rape, carrying illegal firearms, disorderly behavior, and had been arrested on charges of molestation in 2003. He spent seven months in jail between 2011 and 2012 during a trial on charges of rape, according to police. Authorities said he was acquitted in that case.
-- Sugam Pokharel contributed reporting.
