Is there any time limit between the occurrence of the misconduct and the issue of charge sheet?

21. Is there any time limit between the occurrence of the misconduct and the issue of charge sheet? There is no time limit between the commission of misconduct and the issue of charge sheet in respect of serving employees. [The time limit in this respect regarding the retired employees is dealt with in the relevant chapter later]. However, Unexplained in-ordinate delays may have the effect of vitiating the inquiry. Hon’ble Supreme Court struck down the proceedings, in the case of P.V. Mahadevan Vs. M.D., Tamil Nadu Housing Board [JT2005(7)SC417, [2005]Supp(2) SCR474, 2006(1)SLJ67] relating to the issue of a Charge Sheet in 2000 in respect of the alleged misconduct committed in 1990, “16. Under the circumstances, we are of the opinion that allowing the respondent to proceed further with the departmental proceedings at this distance of time will be very prejudicial to the appellant. Keeping a higher government official under charges of corruption and disputed integrity would cause unbearable mental agony and distress to the officer concerned. The protracted disciplinary enquiry against a government employee should, therefore, be avoided not only in the interests of the government employee but in public interest and also in the interests of inspiring confidence in the minds of the government employees. At this stage, it is necessary to draw the curtain and to put an end to the enquiry. The appellant had already suffered enough and more on account of the disciplinary proceedings. As a matter of fact, the mental agony and sufferings of the appellant due to the protracted disciplinary proceedings would be much more than the punishment. For the mistakes committed by the department in the procedure for initiating the disciplinary proceedings, the appellant should not be made to suffer. 17. We, therefore, have no hesitation to quash the charge memo issued against the appellant. The appeal is allowed. The appellant will be entitled to all the retiral benefits in accordance with law. The retiral benefits shall be disbursed within three months from this date. No costs.”