Why has it been pending for 15 years? Is it because the employer is not attending the enquiry? Or is it because the employer is not furnishing the records called for by the Assistant PF Commissioner?
EPF Act and Enquiry Duration
The EPF Act does not prescribe any period of limitation for the initiation of an enquiry under Section 7A or a period within which the 7A enquiry should be completed. Normally, when a statute does not prescribe a period of limitation, what is expected from the authorities is that the matter is settled within a reasonable time. The EPFO has also issued a clarification, via its circular bearing Reference No. C-11/20/76/Misc./2020/CBE/TN/1027 dated 14-2-2020, stating that any initiation of proceedings for a period beyond 5 years without evidence of such prolonged default would be legally untenable. Therefore, you can ask the Assistant PF Commissioner to settle the issue as soon as possible.