Two News Desk
New Delhi, February 9, 2026 — The Delhi Police has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) to investigate the alleged leak and online circulation of an unpublished book by former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), titled Four Stars of Destiny. The case has been registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police following reports of a pre-print PDF version of the memoir being shared on social media platforms, websites, and other online forums without the required official clearance.
According to an official statement from the Delhi Police, authorities took cognizance of information circulating online claiming that a pre-print copy of the book was being distributed publicly. Verification revealed that a typeset PDF version, apparently prepared by Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd, was available on certain websites. Additionally, some online marketing platforms displayed the finished book cover, presenting it as if the book was ready for purchase.
The Delhi Police emphasized that the necessary clearance for publication of the book — which includes details on operational matters such as the 2020 Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff with China and other sensitive issues — has not yet been received from the competent authorities, including the Ministry of Defence and the Army. As per established protocols, books by serving or retired military officers dealing with operational or sensitive subjects require prior approval to prevent the disclosure of classified information.
The FIR comes amid heightened political controversy surrounding the memoir. Excerpts purportedly from the book were cited in Parliament by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who used them to question the government's handling of the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes and alleged lack of directives from top leadership during the Ladakh standoff. This led to disruptions in the Lok Sabha, accusations from the ruling BJP-led government that the book remains unpublished and uncleared, and subsequent debates over national security and procedural norms for military memoirs.
Publisher Penguin Random House India has clarified that the book "has not gone into publication" and that it holds exclusive rights to the manuscript. No official copies have been released, and the publisher has distanced itself from any unauthorized sharing.
The investigation by the Special Cell aims to trace the source of the leak, identify those responsible for circulating the pre-print version, and assess any potential breach involving sensitive defence-related content. Specific sections of law under which the FIR has been registered have not been publicly detailed yet.
General Naravane, who served as Army Chief from December 2019 to April 2022, has not issued a public comment on the developments or the alleged leak. The book, described as a memoir covering his career and personal experiences, has been pending clearance since at least 2024, despite earlier announcements and pre-order promotions.
This incident has reignited discussions on the balance between veterans' rights to share their perspectives and the imperatives of national security and official secrecy protocols. The probe is ongoing, with authorities expected to examine digital trails and potential violations related to copyright, unauthorized publication, and handling of restricted information.
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