Question

Arrange the milestones of the evolution of Victim's Rights internationally and in India from earliest to latest:
A. Law Commission of India Reports (152nd and 154th)
B. Justice Malimath Committee Report
C. UN Declaration (1985)
D. Growth of Victimology as a discipline (Mendelsohn et al.)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. $A\rightarrow B\rightarrow C\rightarrow D$
• B. $B\rightarrow C\rightarrow D\rightarrow A$
• C. $C\rightarrow B\rightarrow A\rightarrow D$
• D. $D\rightarrow C\rightarrow A\rightarrow B$

Hint:

Benjamin Mendelsohn is regarded as the Father of Victimology.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
Concept:

• Victimology evolved from a sub-discipline of criminology to an independent field focusing on the "forgotten actor" in the criminal justice system.
• The movement gained momentum globally in the mid-20th century, leading to international standards and subsequent domestic reforms in India.

Step 1: Identify the earliest milestone
The growth of Victimology as a scientific discipline (D) began in the late 1940s and 1950s. Benjamin Mendelsohn and Hans von Hentig are the pioneers who established the theoretical foundation during this period. Thus, D is the earliest.

Step 2: Identify the international standard
The United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power (C) was adopted in 1985. This was the first global consensus on the minimum rights for victims. Thus, C follows D.

Step 3: Identify the Indian legal milestones
The Law Commission of India's 152nd Report (1994) on Custodial Crimes and the 154th Report (1996) on CrPC reforms (A) specifically discussed victim compensation and rights in India. Thus, A follows C.

Step 4: Identify the most recent report
The Justice Malimath Committee Report (B) on the Reform of Criminal Justice System was submitted in 2003. It made comprehensive recommendations to give victims a say in the trial process and established the "Victim Compensation Scheme." Thus, B is the latest.

Step 5: Final Sequence
The chronological order is D (1940s/50s) $\rightarrow$ C (1985) $\rightarrow$ A (1990s) $\rightarrow$ B (2003). This matches sequence D-C-A-B in option (D).