Section 141: Appeal liable to be heard ex parte in absence of respondent

1) If the respondent does not appear within the time-limit of the notice given pursuant to sub-section (3) of Section 140, the appeal hearing court may appoint such another date for appearance for deciding the appeal as falling after at least fifteen days and hear the appeal ex parte on such date and decide it.

2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), if the respondent makes a petition, prior to the date appointed for appearance pursuant to sub-section (1), showing a reasonable reason for being unable to appear within the time-limit of the notice given pursuant to sub-section (3) of Section 140, and such reason seems to be reasonable, the court shall order the extension of the time-limit, showing such reason, and also order the respondent to appear on the date appointed pursuant to sub-section (1), and hear and decide the appeal.