(1) The appellant or the complainant, as the case may be, shall in every case be informed of the date of hearing at least seven clear days before that date
(2) (i) The appellant shall be present in person at the time of hearing, the appeal under sub-section (3) of section 19 of the act:
Provided that if the appellant is unable to attend the hearing, he shall inform the Commission accordingly and is at liberty to submit in advance any additional material or written argument to be taken into account at the time of the hearing.
(ii) During the hearing of a complaint under section 18 of the Act, the complainant shall be present in person:
Provided that, the Commission may and its discretion allow the presence of the complainant to be dispensed with, without prejudice to the powers vested in the Commission under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 18 of the Act”.
(3) Where the circumstances exist due to which the appellant or the complainant, as the case may be, is being prevented from attending the hearing of the Commission, then, the Commission may afford the appellant or the complainant, as the case may be, another opportunity of being heard before a final decision is taken or take any other appropriate action as it may deem fit:
[4]
Provided the appellant or the complainant, as the case may be, should inform the commission the reasons for not attending the hearing in writing or through any other mode of communication in advance before the hearing is taken up.
(4) The appellant or the complainant, as the case may be, may seek the assistance of any person in the process of the appeal while presenting his points and the person representing him may not be a legal practitioner.