Delhi Police on Feb 9, registered a case over the alleged unauthorised circulation of a pre-publication copy of Four Stars of Destiny, the memoir of former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, after claims surfaced that the unpublished book was available online and on select platforms without statutory approval.
Police officials said they took cognisance of information circulating on social media platforms and news forums, which suggested that a pre-print version of the book was in circulation despite the absence of mandatory clearances from the competent authorities.
During initial verification, investigators reportedly found a PDF version of a typeset manuscript bearing the same title available on certain websites. The document appeared to have been prepared by Penguin Random House India Pvt. Ltd., the listed publisher of the memoir.
Additionally, police noted that some online marketing platforms were displaying the finished book cover, suggesting that the title was available for purchase, even though the book had not officially been released.
In view of the suspected breach involving an unpublished defence-related memoir, Delhi Police said a case has been registered with the Special Cell, and a detailed investigation is underway to trace the source of the leak and assess the extent of unauthorised circulation.
Four Stars of Destiny chronicles nearly four decades of General Naravane’s service in the Indian Army, tracing his journey from a Second Lieutenant to Chief of the Army Staff. The memoir reportedly provides insights into several key phases of his military career, including India’s most serious military standoff with China since the 1962 conflict.
Penguin Random House India is the official publisher of the book.
The controversy surrounding the memoir came into sharp focus during the post-Budget session of Parliament. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to move the Motion of Thanks on the Union Budget, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were disrupted after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi read out portions of a magazine article said to be based on General Naravane’s unpublished book.
Though Gandhi spoke only briefly, his remarks prompted strong objections from the BJP leadership. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress leader of referring to content from a book that had not formally entered the public domain.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also questioned the propriety of invoking unpublished defence-related material in parliamentary debate, asserting that national security issues should not be used as political tools.
Within days of the initial disruption, Rahul Gandhi returned to Parliament holding a printed copy of Four Stars of Destiny, stating that he intended to “gift it to the Prime Minister”. Images of Gandhi holding the book inside the Parliament complex further escalated the political controversy.
Police officials have not commented on whether any individual or entity has been named as an accused at this stage, stating that the investigation remains at a preliminary phase.
