A leaked manuscript of General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s forthcoming book, Four Stars of Destiny, has triggered a major political and security scandal, drawing in Parliament and law enforcement, and raising questions about national defense protocols.
The former Chief of Army Staff’s account, which reportedly details sensitive military matters including the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation with China, remains officially unreleased due to pending approvals from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Despite this, unauthorized copies have circulated widely, sparking debates over transparency, copyright violations, and potential breaches of the Official Secrets Act.
The controversy intensified during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament when Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi brandished what appeared to be a printed version of the manuscript in the Lok Sabha. Mr. Gandhi cited passages alleging inconsistencies in the government’s handling of border tensions with China, using them to challenge the administration’s narrative on national security.
Government representatives swiftly objected, arguing that referencing an unpublished and unverified document was inappropriate, leading to heated exchanges, disruptions, and the eventual adjournment of proceedings. The Speaker ruled against allowing such citations, fueling accusations from the opposition of suppressing critical information.
In response to the uproar, publisher Penguin Random House India issued a clarification on February 10, 2026, asserting its exclusive rights to the memoir and confirming that no physical or digital copies have been published, distributed, or sold to the public. The company emphasized that any circulating versions, including PDFs shared on social media and messaging apps, represent illegal infringements and vowed to pursue legal remedies.
General Naravane himself endorsed this stance, resharing the publisher’s statement on social media and stating that the book’s status ‘remains unchanged’ – still in the maturation process, akin to ‘aged wine,’ without final clearance. He broke his silence amid the row, aligning fully with the publisher’s position that the work has not entered the public domain.
Adding to the intrigue, Delhi Police’s Special Cell filed a First Information Report (FIR) on February 9, 2026, on its own initiative after detecting the manuscript’s unauthorized dissemination online. The investigation has since escalated, with preliminary findings reportedly suggesting a ‘premeditated conspiracy’ to bypass mandatory MoD vetting for sensitive content.
Authorities alleged that the leak involved organized efforts, with the document appearing in global markets such as the US, Canada, UK, and Australia prior to any official approval. The FIR has been expanded to include charges of criminal conspiracy, and probes are exploring possible international connections that could implicate foreign actors or political motivations.
While the FIR does not name specific individuals, its timing – shortly after Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary display has led to speculation and counter-accusations from ruling party members about misuse of unverified material.
The episode has broader implications for opposition unity, with key allies like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) reportedly stepping back from Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive push, including a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, however, defended the party’s position, stressing that the core issue lies in the military insights raised, such as border activities involving China, rather than the book’s publication status.
Originally announced for release in early 2024 with pre-orders available on platforms like Amazon, the memoir’s launch was postponed indefinitely as it underwent standard scrutiny for books by retired senior officers. Listings on e-commerce sites now show the title as unavailable, with pre-orders cancelled. Interestingly, the heightened public interest has boosted sales of Naravane’s debut fiction novel, The Cantonment Conspiracy, which has climbed bestseller charts amid the ongoing drama.