Delhi Police issues notice to Penguin India over circulation of ex-Army chief's 'Four Stars of Destiny'

Delhi Police's Special Cell on Wednesday issued a notice to Penguin Random House's India unit, in connection to the circulation of ex-Army chief M M Naravane's unpublished memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny' on social media.

"Delhi Police has issued a notice to Penguin India over circulation of ex-Army chief M M Naravane's unpublished book on social media," an official told news agency PTI.

Earlier in the morning, the special cell of the capital's Police force had revealed that the said notice has posed several question to Penguin and responses are being sought.


"Delhi Police Special Cell has issued a notice to Penguin India. Through the notice, several questions have been asked, and responses have been sought," Delhi Police was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Also read: Penguin India says ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ unpublished, threatens legal action over circulating copies

'Four Stars of Destiny': Penguin India's justification

Penguin Random House India on Monday issued a detailed clarification stating that it alone held the publishing rights to Four Stars of Destiny, the forthcoming memoir of former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and that the book had not been released in any form.

The statement came against the backdrop of a political controversy and an ongoing police probe into claims that a pre-print version of the memoir was circulating publicly.

“In light of recent public discourse and media reporting, Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army. 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,” the publisher said in a post on X.

The company further warned that any version of the book in circulation would amount to a violation of its copyright and could invite legal action.

“Any copies of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, constitutes an infringement of PRHI's copyright and must immediately be ceased. Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book,” the statement added.

It concluded by noting, “This statement is being issued to place the publisher's position on record.”

'Four Stars of Destiny' row: Rahul Gandhi rebukes Penguin India; says 'either Army Chief is lying or the publisher'

Row over 'Four Stars of Destiny' spilled into Parliament

The clarification followed a heated exchange in Parliament after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi referred to what he described as a “pre-print book” of the former Army chief during his speech on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha the previous week.

Treasury benches strongly objected to the reference, triggering repeated adjournments before the House ultimately adopted the motion by voice vote amid opposition sloganeering.

Separately, Delhi Police had taken cognisance of claims circulating on social media platforms and news forums that a pre-print copy of Four Stars of Destiny was being shared publicly.