Ex parte decision

(1) If the defendant fails to appear and the Panchayat is satisfied that he has received notice of the date fixed for the hearing or that he is intentionally evading service the Panchayat may proceed ex parte. (2) Any defendant against whom a suit has been decided ex parte, within thirty days from the date of executing any process for enforcement of the decision or within such further period as the Panchayat may for sufficient cause allow, apply orally or in writing to the Panchayat, to set aside the order and the Panchayat, if satisfied that the defendant did not receive due notice of the hearing, or was prevented from appearing by any sufficient cause or was not intentionally evading service of summons, shall set aside the decision and shall appoint a day for proceeding with the suit, but no such order shall be passed without notice to the opposite party. (3) A fee of one rupee shall be paid on every such application for setting aside an ex parte decision.