Naravane memoir leak organised, entered global markets sans govt clearance: Cops

By Admin

12 Feb, 2026

The controversy surrounding former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir has escalated into a multi-nation investigation, with Delhi Police alleging that the leak was not accidental but part of a “planned and coordinated operation.”

Titled Four Stars of Destiny, the memoir reportedly entered global digital markets even before receiving mandatory clearance from India’s Defence Ministry   a requirement for defence-related publications.

FIR Registered, Criminal Conspiracy Angle

Earlier this week, the Delhi Police Special Cell registered an FIR under charges of criminal conspiracy in connection with the alleged leak. The move came after questions were raised by India Today Digital regarding how an unpublished book reached Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The issue gained political traction when Gandhi attempted to quote from the memoir in Parliament, triggering a political storm. As the controversy intensified, publisher Penguin India clarified that the memoir had not been officially published and that no authorised copies existed.

Global Circulation Before Official Approval

Preliminary findings suggest the leaked version of the memoir was first uploaded and made available in foreign markets   including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany   before any formal approval in India.

Investigators traced the first upload to a website operating under the “.io” domain extension. While originally assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, the .io domain is widely used by global tech platforms and startups.

After the initial upload, the content was reportedly mirrored across multiple hosting platforms, increasing its digital footprint and making containment more difficult.

Police sources say this pattern indicates systematic distribution rather than isolated piracy.

ISBN Trail Raises Red Flags

A major focus of the investigation is the presence of an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) in the leaked version. The 13-digit ISBN is mandatory for commercial publication and distribution and serves as a globally recognised identifier for cataloguing and sales.

Officials believe the inclusion of an ISBN suggests that the leaked copy was not merely a draft or raw manuscript but a processed, publication-ready version. Separate ISBNs are typically issued for different formats, such as hardcover and e-book editions.

When media outlets examined online book-selling platforms in the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany, they reportedly found ISBN codes corresponding to Penguin India’s edition of Four Stars of Destiny. This has intensified scrutiny over how the book entered formal publishing systems before official clearance.

Penguin India is currently being questioned regarding the ISBN registration and distribution process.

Organised Breach Suspected

Investigators maintain that the sequence of uploads, international listings, and ISBN-linked distribution strongly points to an organised breach.

According to police sources, the probe is now examining:

• International digital footprints

• Financial transaction trails

• Possible collaborators abroad

• Distribution pathways across global platforms

The investigation has expanded to track digital and financial trails in the US, Canada, Germany, and Australia, suggesting a coordinated push into foreign markets.

Political and Institutional Implications

The Defence Ministry has not issued any public statement so far. However, the case raises serious concerns about:

• Breach of defence-related publication protocols

• Digital security vulnerabilities in the publishing ecosystem

• Cross-border cyber distribution networks

• Political ramifications amid parliamentary debates

As the investigation unfolds, authorities aim to determine who facilitated the circulation of the memoir before clearance and whether it was a deliberate attempt to influence political discourse.

With international digital trails under examination and criminal conspiracy charges invoked, the leak of Four Stars of Destiny has transformed from a publishing controversy into a complex, multi-jurisdictional probe   one that could have significant implications for national security protocols and the global publishing ecosystem.