Section 123(2) in The Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996
(2)The Panchayati Adalat may hear and decide a suit or case ex parte in the absence of the defendant or the accused if he has been informed of the time and place for hearing :Provided that no sentence shall be imposed by a Panchayati Adalat on any accused person unless he has appeared either in person or by agent before it and the substance of his statement has been recorded.
