Report No. 179

7.22 Periods of limitatio.- (proposed section 9.- Sub-Section (1) of the proposed section 9 states that the Competent Authority shall hold every such inquiry as expeditiously as possible and in 103 any case complete the inquiry within a period of six months from the date of the receipt of the complaint.

It is proposed to add a provision to sub-section (1) stating to the Competent authority is of the opinion that the inquiry cannot be completed before the said period, it may reasons for be recorded in writing, extend the said period and in no case, the said period shall be extended beyond a period of two years from the date of the receipt of the complaint.

It is possible that in some cases, the inquiry not completed within a period of two years as stated in sub-section (1). But, that does not mean that the public servant is to be deemed as exonerated. We are, therefore, proposing by way of sub-section (2) that nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall operate as a bar against initiation or continuance of any action or proceedings under any other law for the time being in force against the public servant named in the complaint.