Shivani Jaiswal,  Bihar 
The court hearing the alleged IRCTC hotel scam-linked money laundering case has once again postponed its decision on whether to frame charges against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and other accused individuals.

The case, which has been under judicial scrutiny for several years, revolves around allegations of irregularities in the allocation of contracts for the operation of railway hotels during Lalu Prasad's tenure as Railway Minister. Investigating agencies claim that undue benefits were allegedly received in exchange for awarding the contracts.

The court reserved its order and scheduled a fresh date for pronouncing its decision. The repeated deferment means that the accused will have to wait longer before learning whether the case proceeds to the trial stage.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named several members of the Yadav family and other individuals in its prosecution complaint, alleging money laundering linked to the alleged irregularities. The accused have consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintain that the allegations are politically motivated.

court's upcoming decision will be crucial in determining the future course of the proceedings. If charges are framed, the matter will move into the trial phase, where evidence and witness testimonies will be examined in detail.

The case continues to attract significant public and political attention due to the prominence of the individuals involved and its long-running legal history. The next hearing is expected to provide greater clarity on the direction of the proceedings.