Naravane book leak row: Delhi Police register FIR over alleged circulation of unpublished memoir
Delhi Police said on Monday it has registered an FIR after taking cognisance of claims that a pre-print copy of an unpublished book by former Army chief General M. M. Naravane has been circulated online without mandatory clearance from competent authorities.
The case, lodged by the Special Cell, follows reports that a PDF version of a typeset manuscript titled Four Stars of Destiny was available on some websites and that online platforms were displaying a finished cover suggesting the book was available for purchase.
Delhi Police say MoD clearance still pending
In an official statement, Delhi Police said online posts and news reports had claimed that a “pre-print copy” of Four Stars of Destiny was being circulated despite the required approvals not yet being granted.
Police said it was also reported that clearance for publication is still awaited from the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which typically vets such manuscripts before they are cleared for release.
During verification, police said they found a PDF copy of a typeset book with the same title, “apparently prepared” by Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd, on certain websites. Police also said some online marketing platforms displayed the book’s cover as if it could be purchased.
Special Cell investigation into “purported leak or breach”
Police said the Special Cell will carry out a thorough investigation into what it described as a “purported leak or breach” of a publication that has not been approved.
The statement did not specify the offences invoked or identify suspects, but said the investigation is being taken up after the circulation of the document was flagged online.
Political fallout after Rahul Gandhi displays purported copy
The episode has become politically charged after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen holding what he described as a copy of the unpublished book in the Parliament complex last week, triggering protests and disruptions in the Lok Sabha.
The controversy intensified after India Today reported that Rahul Gandhi had accessed an unpublished version of the book, and after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament that the book “does not exist,” amid questions over whether the manuscript had the required MoD clearance.
Parliamentary proceedings were disrupted over the issue, and eight MPs were suspended for the remainder of the ongoing Budget session following disorder in the Lok Sabha linked to the dispute.
Congress claims PM avoided Lok Sabha debate over the issue
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not come to the Lok Sabha to reply to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address because he was “scared” of the controversy around General Naravane’s book.
Delhi Police said the case concerns the alleged unauthorised circulation of an unapproved manuscript and that the Special Cell investigation will examine how the pre-print material appeared online and whether any laws were violated.