The Indian government on Saturday approved sweeping new measures to combat the country’s high number of sexual assault cases, including death sentences for those convicted of raping children.

The Emergency Executive Order came after two weeks of mass protests over two high-profile cases, one involving the gang-rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl, and another in which a state politician is the suspect.

The cabinet met on Saturday and approved the order just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned from his visit to the UK.

The new measure is designed to give women and children more security amid accusations that Mr Modi's government was not doing enough to combat sexual violence.

The changes proposed in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, include capital punishment for child rapists, a more rapid investigation and trial process in rape cases, an increase in the minimum sentencing terms, and no bail if the alleged victim is a minor.