Delhi Police Files FIR Over Leak of Ex-Army Chief Naravane's Unpublished Memoir

The Delhi Police has officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the unauthorized circulation of an unpublished memoir penned by former Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane. The book, titled 'Four Stars of Destiny', has reportedly been circulating on various social media platforms and online forums in a pre-print or PDF format without the mandatory clearance from competent authorities. This development comes amidst a significant political uproar surrounding the memoir. According to official statements from the Delhi Police, they took cognizance of information indicating that a pre-print copy of 'Four Stars of Destiny' was being distributed publicly despite not having received the necessary approvals for publication. Upon verification, it was found that a type-set PDF copy, apparently prepared by M/s Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd, was accessible on certain websites. Furthermore, some online marketing platforms were observed displaying the finished book cover, creating the impression that the book was available for purchase. The case has been registered with the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, which is tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into this purported leak or breach of a yet-to-be-approved publication. The probe aims to ascertain how the manuscript was leaked, who is responsible for uploading and circulating the material online, and whether any organized network is involved in its unauthorized dissemination. The memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny', holds particular significance as it is expected to shed light on sensitive details regarding General Naravane's tenure as Army Chief from December 2019 to April 2022. This period notably includes the crucial 2020 Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, as well as discussions around the Agnipath recruitment scheme. Books by senior military officials typically require review and clearance from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to ensure that no classified or sensitive information is inadvertently made public, which could have implications for national security. The book was initially slated for release in January 2024, but its publication was halted pending MoD clearance. This incident gained prominent national attention after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi referenced and displayed a purported copy of the book within the Parliament complex. During a debate on the Motion of Thanks in the Budget Session, Gandhi attempted to cite excerpts from the memoir, particularly those related to the India-China border tensions. This move led to heated exchanges and disruptions in the Lok Sabha, with ruling party members, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, objecting to quoting from an 'unpublished' or 'unauthenticated' work. Rahul Gandhi challenged the government's objections, questioning why they were "scared" of the book's content. He also claimed that the book was, in fact, published and that he possessed a copy. However, government officials, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, maintained that the book was not banned but was awaiting clearance from the Defence Ministry. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Gandhi for flouting parliamentary rules by attempting to quote from an unreleased publication. Excerpts from the book, reportedly seen by 'The Caravan' magazine, suggested that General Naravane felt a lack of clear direction from the political leadership during the critical moments of the 2020 border crisis, quoting a message conveyed to him as 'Jo uchit samjho, woh karo' (Do what you think is right). Such contents have fueled political discourse, with the opposition using them to criticize the government's handling of the China border situation and the government defending its actions and questioning the unauthorized access to the memoir. The controversy has highlighted the regulations governing the publication of post-retirement works by military personnel, which are designed to prevent the disclosure of national security-sensitive information. Violations of these rules can lead to legal action or even the withholding of pension benefits. The Delhi Police's investigation is a critical step to determine the source of the leak and to address concerns about the integrity of classified or sensitive information related to India's national security. The ongoing probe underscores the serious implications associated with the unauthorized disclosure of such documents, especially those authored by high-ranking defense officials.

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