Row over ‘Unpublished’ Naravane Memoir

New Delhi | Desk: A major mystery has deepened surrounding former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's memoir, "Four Stars of Destiny." The book's official publisher, Penguin Random House India, has issued a statement stating that the book has not yet been published. However, Penguin's claim contradicts its own statement, which stated that the book would be published and pre-orders would begin in 2023.

Penguin Random House has now stated that it holds exclusive publishing rights to the book and that it has not yet been published. The publisher emphasized in its statement that, "No copy of this book, whether in print or digital form, has yet been publicly released, distributed, or sold."

The controversy erupted when Rahul Gandhi was seen brandishing a hardcover copy of the book in the Parliament complex last week. He had attempted to quote excerpts from this book in the Lok Sabha, but the publisher's latest statement now raises the question: if the book hasn't even been published, what book was Rahul Gandhi holding? Penguin India has warned that any material currently circulating in any form (PDF or print) is a copyright infringement and completely unauthorized.

The Delhi Police Special Cell has already filed an FIR in this matter. The investigation is focused on how a manuscript, which has not yet received the mandatory approval from the Ministry of Defense, was leaked in digital format. According to the police, PDF copies of this book have been found available on some websites.

The question becomes even more serious: is the book in Rahul Gandhi's possession part of this 'unauthorized leak' or was it merely a dummy copy? The publisher has clarified that any copy of this book in the market or in the possession of any individual is illegal. Now only the investigation by Delhi Police will be able to clarify how this 'unpublished' information reached the political corridors.