The issues common to the two suits were as follows: (1)Whether the Assam State Acquisition of Zamindaris Act, 1951 (Assam Act XV111 of 1951) and its 307 amendments are within the competence of the State Legislature and whether they were enacted according to law? (2)Whether the Notification No. Rt./24/54/21 dated 19th July 1954 published in the Assam Gazette dated 21st July 1954 and issued under the Act aforesaid is valid? (3)Whether the said Act and its amendments infringe the fundamental rights of the plaintiff under article 31(2) and article 14 of the Constitution; or whether the legislation is protected under article 3 1 A and article 31(4) of the Constitution? (4)Whether the provisions of the Act and its amendments can be enforced against the properties in suit, even if the legislation is held to be valid? (5)To what relief, if any, is the plaintiff entitled? The parties through their respective counsel agreed that the issues of law which did not depend upon adjudication of disputed facts should be heard and decided first, leaving the other issues, if necessary, to be dealt with later.