Naravane's book 'leak' bid to bypass defence clearance: Police

Police Uncover Coordinated Leak of Naravane's Memoir

Delhi Police have launched a sweeping investigation into the alleged leak of "Four Stars of Destiny," the unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane. Preliminary findings point to a planned operation rather than random piracy, with the book circulating in global digital markets before securing required approvals from the Defence Ministry. The controversy ignited when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi referenced excerpts from the book during a parliamentary session, leading to disruptions and heightened scrutiny. Authorities registered an FIR earlier this week, incorporating charges of criminal conspiracy to address what they describe as a deliberate breach.

Investigators from the Delhi Police Special Cell are tracing digital footprints across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Leaked versions, including PDF files and pre-print copies bearing a 13-digit ISBN, appeared on websites with .io domain extensions linked to the British Indian Ocean Territory before spreading to other platforms. Online marketplaces even displayed finished book covers, suggesting availability for purchase despite no official release. This international spread has prompted police to follow financial trails and examine potential collaborators abroad, widening the probe's scope significantly.

Publisher Faces Scrutiny Amid Political Storm

Penguin Random House India, the memoir's designated publisher, received a formal notice from the Special Cell demanding detailed responses to a questionnaire. Police are questioning how an advance copy escaped into circulation and why the company issued a public statement only after the FIR was filed, rather than reporting the leak immediately. The publisher has maintained that it holds exclusive rights and has not released the book in any format, emphasizing that pre-orders or announcements do not equate to publication. A team from the Special Cell visited their office to gather more information, underscoring the intensity of the inquiry.

a senior police source involved in the probe told reporters. This statement highlights the investigators' conviction that the incident was no accident. General Naravane himself has backed the publisher's position, sharing their clarification on social media to affirm that the book remains unpublished.

The sequence of uploads, international listings, and ISBN-linked distribution points to an organised breach rather than isolated digital piracy. We are examining who facilitated the global circulation before official clearance and whether there was any coordinated effort to push it into foreign markets,

Broader Implications for Defence Publications

The saga has reignited debates over protocols for publications by retired military personnel, particularly those touching on sensitive topics like the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China, which Naravane's memoir reportedly details. Such works require vetting by the Defence Ministry to safeguard national security. The leak's timing, just before parliamentary discussions, has fueled political tensions, with opposition figures leveraging the content while the government stresses procedural adherence. Police have formed dedicated teams, one led by an Assistant Commissioner, to scrutinize social media platforms that hosted the material and potentially summon their representatives.

As the investigation progresses, questions linger about the origins of the leaked PDF, believed to stem from the publishing process, and the motivations behind its rapid global dissemination. Authorities aim to unravel the network involved, from initial uploaders to international distributors. Penguin India reiterated its commitment to legal processes, but the episode has cast a shadow over upcoming releases in the genre. Meanwhile, parliamentary proceedings continue to feel the ripple effects, with calls for transparency clashing against security concerns.

In summary, the Delhi Police view the leak of General Naravane's memoir as a calculated move to sidestep defence clearances, prompting an expansive probe into an apparent criminal conspiracy. Key elements include international circulation, publisher questioning, and political fallout, all pointing to deeper issues in handling sensitive military narratives. The case underscores the challenges of safeguarding unpublished works in the digital age while balancing public discourse.