( 1 ) HEARD Sri S. A. Razaaq, learned Counsel representing the revision petitioners-defendants and also Mrs. Sahina khan, learned amicus curiae appointed by the Court to assist the Court.

( 2 ) THIS revision petition is filed under section 25 of the Provincial Small Causes court Act by the defendants against the judgment and decree of Small Cause Suit No. 40 of 1997 on the file of the Senior Civil Judge, nuzvid, Krishna District, dated 19. 10. 2000.

( 3 ) THE respondent in the revision petition is the plaintiff. For the purpose of convenience, the parties may be referred to as arrayed in the Court below i. e. , the plaintiff and defendants.

( 4 ) THE case of the plaintiff is that on 29. 1. 1995, the defendants borrowed an amount of Rs. 5,000/- from the plaintiff for agricultural expenses and executed the suit promissory note in favour of the plaintiff agreeing to repay the same with interest at 12% per annum and inspite of several demands, the defendants did not repay the amount and on 12. 5. 1997, the plaintiff issued a notice. The office copy was marked as Ex. A1. The defendants received the notice and issued a reply notice to the plaintiff on 19. 5. 1997, which