VEERASWAMI J.

These petitions for certiorari and prohibition raise a question of the constitutional vires of the Wealth-tax Act, 1957, in so far as it imposes an annual tax in respect of the net wealth, particularly buildings. A further question to be considered is whether the Act violates article 19(1)(f) of the Constitution of India. The petitioner is an ex-land holder of the Jaggampeta "A" and "D" Estates in the East Godavari District but is now a permanent resident of Madras. He owns, as he, says, immovable properties consisting of one compact block of buildings in Mylapore and Royapettah High Road worth Rs. 8, 70, 505, movable properties in the form of capital in a certain producing concern of the value of Rs. 58, 458.79, National Savings Certificates and shares of Rs. 79, 700 and bank deposits amounting to Rs. 5, 012.19 and owes unsecured loans of Rs. 26, 800 and non-business debts of Rs. 45, 792.31. For the assessment year 1960-61, he apparently filed on January 25, 1961, a return disclosing total assets valued at Rs. 9, 43, 582.07 as on the valuation date which included Rs. 8, 70, 505 being the value of the buildings. On November 3, 1961, an assessment order was