Delhi Police Intensifies Investigation into Leaked Army Chief Memoir
The Delhi Police has significantly escalated its ongoing investigation into the controversial leak of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's unpublished memoir. In a major development, authorities have now formally added charges of criminal conspiracy to the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the case.
Publisher Receives Official Notice Regarding Leak
Police officials confirmed that a formal notice has been dispatched to Penguin Random House India, the publisher of General Naravane's forthcoming book titled 'Four Stars of Destiny'. The notice demands a comprehensive explanation regarding how the unpublished manuscript was allegedly circulated on various social media platforms before its official publication date.
Senior officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the investigation's primary focus is to determine whether there was an organized conspiracy behind the leak and subsequent distribution of the book's PDF version across multiple digital platforms. The Special Cell of Delhi Police has assembled a dedicated team led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to spearhead this sensitive probe.
Political Firestorm Ignited by Parliamentary Reading
The controversy surrounding the memoir erupted into a full-blown political storm after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi read selected excerpts from the book during a session in the Lok Sabha. This parliamentary revelation brought unprecedented attention to the unpublished work and triggered widespread debate about the circumstances of its premature circulation.
In response to the growing controversy, Penguin Random House India issued a formal statement clarifying their position: "We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book — in print or digital form — have been published, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India."
Digital Investigation Uncovers Widespread Circulation
Police investigators have discovered that a pre-print PDF version of the typeset manuscript was available on several websites, apparently prepared by Penguin Random House India. Additionally, certain online marketing platforms were found displaying the finished book cover, creating the misleading impression that the memoir was already available for purchase.
According to official police statements, mandatory clearances required for publication had not been obtained from relevant authorities when the document began circulating online. The investigation will now concentrate on several critical aspects:
- Identifying the original source of the leaked PDF document
- Determining the precise circumstances under which it was uploaded and circulated
- Investigating potential violations of publication laws, copyright regulations, and official clearance protocols
A separate team from the Special Cell is currently gathering detailed information about the social media platforms that shared the purported PDF. These platforms may face scrutiny and questioning in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
The case continues to develop as authorities work to unravel the complex circumstances surrounding the premature release of this highly anticipated military memoir, which has now become entangled in both legal proceedings and political discourse.
