Four men convicted of the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in New Delhi have been sentenced to death, The Guardian reports.

They wanted justice and justice has been served. (Nilroy, Wikimedia Commons)

The sentence was pronounced by south Delhi judge Yogesh Khanna, who has heard the case over seven months amid global outrage at the brutality of the crime.

SEE ALSO: Delhi Gang Rapists Convicted

Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh Singh were convicted Tuesday of rape, unnatural sex, conspiracy, murder and destruction of evidence. The men maintain their innocence and their lawyers intend to appeal both the verdict and this Friday's sentence.

SEE ALSO: Delhi Rape Suspect Suicide Sparks Prison Debate

Outside the courthouse, crowds cheered when the verdict was announced. Bhanu Pratap Pandey, father of the victim's male friend, who was with her during the attack, told The Guardian:

"My respect for the Indian judiciary has gone up manifold. It was death they deserved and death they got."

Read the full story at The Guardian.

Reach Executive Producer Francesca Bessey here; follow her here.