India's upper house passes tougher rape law

India's upper house on Thursday gave its seal of approval to a new bill toughening punishment for sex offenders, including the death penalty if a victim dies.

Two days after the lower house of parliament approved the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, the upper house voted overwhelmingly for the legislation, which for the first time also contains new penalties for stalking, groping, voyeurism and acid attacks.

The drive for new laws was prompted by the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in December which triggered nationwide protests about the levels of crime against women.

The toughened legislation provides for a minimum 20-year prison sentence for gang-rape, which can be extended to life in jail.

It also allows for the death sentence if a rape victim dies or is left in a vegetative state. Under existing laws, rapists face seven to 10 years in jail.

The gang-rape of a Swiss cyclist last Friday again highlighted the dangers facing women in India while a British woman suffered leg injuries earlier this week as she escaped her hotel over fears of a sex attack by the manager.