Section 2(y) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 defines victim as a person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of the act or omission for which the accused person has been charged and the expression 'victim' includes:

Correct option is C

The correct option is (c) guardian or legal heir of the victim.

Explanation

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the definition of a "victim" has been updated but remains consistent with the core principles of the previous law (Section 2(wa) of the CrPC).

• Section 2(1)(y): Explicitly defines a victim as a person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by the act or omission of the accused.
• Expansion of the Term: The statute specifies that the term "victim" includes the guardian or legal heir of such victim.
• Legal Standing: This inclusion is crucial because it allows the legal representatives (like parents of a minor or children of a deceased person) to exercise the victim's rights, such as filing an appeal against an acquittal, participating in the trial, or seeking compensation.