157. Procedure when only the plaintiff appears - If, on such day, only the plaintiff appears, the Deputy Commissioner upon proof that the summons has been duly served shall proceed to examine the plaintiff or his agent, and, after considering the allegations of the plaintiff and any documentary or oral evidence adduced by him, may either dismiss the case, or postpone the hearing of it to a future day for the attendance of any witness whom the plaintiff may wish to call, or decree the suit ex-parte against the defendant.
