Hon'ble LODHA, .J.-This appeal is directed against order dated 16.9.95 passed by the Additional District Judge, Raisinghnagar in Civil Misc. Case No. 67/93, whereby an application preferred by the appellants for setting aside ex-parte judgment and decree dated 29.3.89 passed in Civil Suit No. 3/83, stands rejected.

2. In the year 1983, the respondent/plaintiff filed a suit for specific performance of the contract against the appellants/defendants on the basis of an agreement to sell dated 29.3.79 alleged to have been executed by Shri Kewal Singh, the power of attorney holder of the appellants/defendants in favour of the respondent/plaintiff Gardhara Singh (since deceased) represented by his legal representatives, in respect of 24-1/2 big has land comprising murabba No.26 inchak 2 GB A, Tehsil Anoopgarh. The summons issued by the court could not be served in ordinary course and therefore, on an application preferred on behalf of the respondent/plaintiff, the service upon the appellants/defendants was directed to be effected by way of substituted service Le. by publication of the summon in the daily newspaper "Dainik Tribune" Hindi edition, published at Chandigarh. On publ