FIR On Circulation Of Unpublished Book Of Former Army Chief

The Delhi Police on Monday said it has registered a First Information Report (FIR) over the circulation of an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General (retd) MM Naravaan on social media, in a development that has repeatedly disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi brought quotes from the book in Parliament on February 2.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with a “copy” of the unpublished book by former Army Chief General (retd) MM Naravane on February 4. (PTI)”Delhi Police has taken into consideration the information received on various social media platforms and news forums claiming that a pre-printed copy of the book ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ is being circulated. It is also learned that the necessary clearance for the publication of this book has not yet been obtained from the relevant authorities,” a Delhi Police spokesperson said in a statement.

Police said that during investigation, they found that a soft copy or PDF version of the unpublished book is available on the website.

“Upon verification, it was found that a PDF copy of a type-set book with the same title, and apparently prepared by M/s Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd, is available on some websites. Also, some online marketing platforms displayed the cover of the finished book as if it was available for purchase,” the statement said.

Police said a case has been registered with the Special Cell to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged leak or publication violation yet to be approved and investigations are underway. A team will probe those involved in the “publication”, “publication” and “sale” of the book, police said.

A senior police official, requesting anonymity, said the FIR mentioned criminal conspiracy as the main offense but did not name any accused.

A major political row erupted last week after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised excerpts from General (retd) Narvan’s unpublished book on India-China relations in the Lok Sabha. But he was barred by Speaker Om Birla from quoting from the book, following which the opposition created ruckus in the House. The Prime Minister was not allowed to reply in the Lok Sabha for the first time in 22 years on the debate over the President’s speech, which was passed by voice vote last Thursday.

On February 4, Gandhi held a purported physical copy of the book in Parliament Square, as he doubled down on his claim that the Modi government had mishandled the border dispute with China.

In a statement late on Monday, Penguin India said it holds the sole publishing rights to General Naravan’s memoirs. “We wish to make it clear that the book has not been published. No copy of the book — in print or digital form — has been published, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India,” the publisher said.

“Any copy of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, … infringes PRHI’s copyright and should be stopped immediately…” added.