(1)If any panch appointed to a bench constituted under Section 50 for the trial of a [suit, criminal case or proceeding] is absent at any hearing, the remaining panches may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, try the suit or proceeding, provided, however, that at least three panches, including the chairman, are present.(2)No trial as aforesaid shall be invalid by reason merely that all the five panches forming the bench were not present at any hearing or that the same panches were not present at all the hearings.
