Power of Magistrate to hear cases in absence of accused when summoned to appear

If any person summoned to appear before a magistrate to answer a charge of an offence against this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder or any bye-law continued thereunder, fails to appear at the time and place mentioned in the summons, or on any date to which the hearing of the case is adjourned, the magistrate may hear and determine the case in his absence, if—

(a) service of the summons on such person is proved to his satisfaction, and

(b) no sufficient excuse is shown for the non-appearance of such person.