( 1 ) PETITIONER joined Govt. of India in 1958. He was transferred to Food Corp. of India in 1969. He became Dy Manager in 1977. In 1982, he was working as Distt. Manager and was alleged to have taken bribe. He was charged with misconduct u/reg. 31, 32 of FCI (Staff) Regulations. Enquiry was begun on 17. 2. 84 and concluded on 25. 5. 85, when Govt. was not allowed further time to produce evidence and its case was closed. Petitioner was exonerated and re-instated. In Aug. , 88, he was promoted. Then in Jan. , 89, Chairman of FCI ordered u/reg. 74, review of the order of 1985 by which petitioner was exonerated and ordered holding of enquiry by examining witnesses who were earlier not allowed to be examined. Petitioner Challenged this by filing W. P. ] After detailing above, Judgment is :

( 2 ) THE most important question now to be considered is as to whether the impugned order dated 17. 1. 89 has been passed by the Chairman, FCI within a reasonable period. It may be noted that the petitioner was involved in a case of accepting illegal gratification on 21. 7. 82. Charges framed against the petitioner on 10,10. 83 were served upon him on 1. 12. 83. The inquiry proceedings we