( 1 ) THIS writ petition filed by the Depot Manager, A. P. S. R. T. C. , Medak is directed against the award dated 31/12/1987 passed in I. D. No. 244/86 on the file of the Additional Industrial Tribunal-Cum-Additional Labour Court, Hyderabad directing reinstatement of the first respondent Sri Mohd. Ismail into service with continuity of service and attendant benefit and with 50% back wages.

( 2 ) AN important question of law of general importance whether an opinion expressed by a disciplinary authority in the course of preliminary enquiry that the delinquent employee is guilty of the alleged misconduct could act as a disqualifying bias arises for our consideration and decision in this case.

( 3 ) THE first respondent was a driver in the services of the A. P. S. R. T. C. It was alleged that on 19/05/1984 the first respondent was driving the bus bearing registration No. AAZ 1614 on the route Rajpet - Medak and while returning from Rajpet, on account of rash and negligent driving, he caused an accident while negotiating a turning on the left side of the road resulting in dashing of the vechile to the right side guard stones; the vechile went off the road for a distance