India president approves tough rape laws

India's president has approved harsher punishment for rapists, including the death penalty, after the gang rape of a student sparked demands for tougher laws.

President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent on Sunday to new rape laws recommended by the government.

Separately, five men have pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of the student in a Delhi bus in December.

The brutal gang rape caused outrage across the country.

"The Indian president has given his assent to the ordinance on crime against women. It comes into effect immediately but it will also be tabled before the parliament," a senior officer in the president's office was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Although the laws are now in place as a result of this ordinance, a bill or bills with these amendments must be tabled in parliament within six weeks of the next session beginning - this is on 21 February.

The brutal assault on the 23-year-old woman on 16 December shocked India and sparked a debate about the treatment of women.

Six suspects were arrested for the crime. Five of the accused are on trial at a specially convened fast-track court in Delhi.

If convicted, they could face the death penalty. A sixth suspect, who is 17 years old, is to be tried by a juvenile court.