The government had passed the ordinance on Saturday, facing public anger over recent cases of rape of young girls.
An 8-year-old girl was gang-raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmir while in Uttar Pradesh a 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by a ruling Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker, triggering nationwide outrage and protests.
The ordinance was signed into law by President Kovind and an official notification to the effect was published on the government gazette yesterday.
It will be valid for six months, during which it has to be ratified by the parliament.
The new law introduces the maximum punishment of the death penalty for those who rape children under 12 years.
Under the earlier law, the maximum punishment for child rape was life in prison.
The minimum punishment is a 20-year jail term or life imprisonment.
Minimum prison sentences for rape against girls under the age of 16 and women have also been raised.
The government has also laid down measures for speedy investigation of rape, stipulating that probes have to be completed within two months.
Several thousand people joined rallies and demonstrations in India in the recent days, protesting the cases of rape of young girls.
Four more rapes and murders of young girls were reported from cities last week adding to the public anger.
In a related development, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal ended her nine-day fast yesterday.
“I didn’t expect that our protest will take such a large shape. It is a historic win for all of us who have been demanding stringent law to punish convicted rapists,” a visibly frail Maliwal said at a press conference organised at Rajghat here.
“I welcome the law and end my fast here,” the 33-year-old said.
According to a DCW member, Maliwal, who had only water during her hunger strike, said she had lost around 7kg in nine days.
As per medical reports shared by the women’s body, her sugar level and blood pressure remained unaffected while she continued her hunger strike.
“Due to my health condition, doctors have advised me to stay in hospital for some days. I will resume work soon and will ensure that our efforts don’t go in vain,” she added.
Maliwal went on an indefinite hunger strike at the Rajghat and refused to break it despite failing health and requests from many till the government acted seriously against those who sexually assault young girls.
“People ridiculed me when I decided to go on hunger strike. But today I can say that a woman can achieve anything. I thank each and everyone for supporting our battle,” she added.
“We had sent more than five lakh letters to our prime minister that were received by DCW but no action was taken. Finally, I had to take the step of going on fast. Our demands were so strong that the government had to bend and immediately take action to implement the new law,” Maliwal said.
“But this is not the end of our fight, this is just the beginning. We have a long way to go. If the government doesn’t implement the law within three months as promised, then I will again start my protest,” she added.
