CHILD rapists in India will now face the death penalty after weeks of protests and horrifying revelations of brutal sex attacks.
The change to the country's penal code applies to anyone convicted of raping a child under the age of 12.
Massive protests were held across the country following the gang rape and murder of eight-year-old Asifa Bano.
The government came under fire for not doing enough to prevent sexual-assault cases, many involving children.
A number of serious crimes in India carry the death penalty, but raping a child was not among them until now
Asifa Bano, 8, was drugged, gang raped and battered to death in a Hindu temple
The executive order was cleared at a special cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Minimum prison sentences for rape against girls under the age of 16 and women have also been raised.
Asifa was kidnapped, murdered and gang-raped for three days at a temple. Her death sparked international outrage when it came to light in early April.
The men arrested for the crime included a retired government official, four police officers and a minor.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi smiles with Theresa May after he was greeted in London by hundreds of protesters condemning the country's rape crisis
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