Amid controversy over unpublished book of former army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, the Delhi police has filed a FIR over the circulation of the book.
The FIR was registered after the police took cognisance of reports circulating on social media platforms and news forums, claiming that a pre-print copy of the book 'Four Stars of Destiny' is being circulated.
The reports also claimed that the necessary clearance for the publication of the ex-Army chief's book was yet to be received from the relevant authorities.
The police verified the reports and found out that a PDF copy of a type-set book, having the same title was available on certain websites. The type-set book was prepared by Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd, according to initial investigation.
Based on initial findings, a case was registered for a thorough investigation into the matter.
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The PDF typeset book was also displayed on some online marketing platforms with the finished book cover as if the title were available for purchase.
The Delhi Police said that the case has been registered in view of the suspected breach and unauthorised circulation of an unpublished work. The case been registered with the Special Cell and a detailed investigation has been started to ascertain the source of the leak and the extent of the violation.
Four Stars of Destiny is a memoir chronicling nearly four decades of General Naravane’s service in the Indian Army, tracing his journey from a Second Lieutenant to Chief of the Army Staff.
The book recently came at centre of the row in Parliament when Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi tried to cite the book but was stopped by Speaker Om Birla, who termed it against rules to quote an unpublished book.
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The Treasury and Opposition benches came face to face over the issue. The book written by Naravane reflects on multiple issues, including a standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh in August 2020.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also criticised Gandhi for citing an unpublished book in Parliament debate.