A court in India has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor, a crime that sparked anger and protests across the country.
The judge rejected the claims for the death penalty but said Sanjoy Roy, a hospital volunteer, was convicted Over the weekend, he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Roy confirmed that he is innocent and is expected to appeal the ruling to a higher court.
The victim's family said they wanted him executed, and that they were “shocked” by the ruling.
The woman's father told AFP: “We will continue our fight and will not allow the investigations to stop… Whatever happens, we will fight for justice.”
Indian law prohibits revealing the identity of victims of sexual violence and their family members.
The doctor's murder, which occurred last year in the hospital in Kolkata in the state of West Bengal where she was working, sent shockwaves throughout the country.
The 31-year-old had gone to sleep in the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after a grueling shift at work. Her half-naked and seriously injured body was later discovered near the platform by a colleague.
The crime sparked widespread protests and concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in India, especially women.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was seen by the BBC, Roy went to the hospital in a drunken state and found the doctor sleeping alone.
The autopsy report indicated that the woman was strangled and showed signs of injury, indicating that she resisted.
Roy was arrested a day after the crime and has consistently denied the allegations.
In Kolkata, doctors went on strike for weeks, demanding action against the accused and officials who they said were complicit in delaying or derailing the investigation.
