India approves death penalty for rapists who cause grave harm to victims

The Indian government has approved death penalty for rapists who grievously harm their victims physically or mentally, after the December 16 horrifying gang rape in the Indian capital, reported local media Saturday.

The government approved an ordinance asking for the death sentence, which will become law as soon as the Indian president signs it, said local daily Hindustan Times.

The ordinance also requires Parliament's approval within six months, which the government plans to complete in the budget session due to start later this month.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened a special cabinet meeting soon after he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde presented the broad contours of the proposed ordinance afterwards, said the report.

The Delhi gang rape, in which a 23-year-old woman died after being brutally assaulted by six thugs on a moving bus in south Delhi, has triggered unprecedented public anger against crimes against women in India.

Xinhua