New Delhi — Former Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane has endorsed a statement from his publisher, Penguin Random House India (PRHI), confirming that his memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, has not yet been published in any form.
On February 10, 2026, General Naravane shared PRHI’s clarification on social media, adding the comment, “This is the status of the book.” The publisher emphasized that it holds the exclusive rights to the manuscript and that no copies—whether in print or digital format—have been published, distributed, sold, or made available to the public.
The development follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by Delhi Police over the alleged illegal circulation of the unpublished manuscript in digital and other formats. The probe addresses reports of unauthorized dissemination of the work, which has not received clearance from the Ministry of Defence.
The controversy gained momentum last week when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displayed what appeared to be a copy of the book inside the Parliament complex and sought to quote from it during proceedings in the Lok Sabha. This action led to disruptions in the House, objections from treasury benches, and eventual suspensions of certain MPs.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier referenced a December 2023 social media post by General Naravane announcing that the book was “available now,” using it to question PRHI’s assertion that the memoir remains unpublished. In response, the publisher explained that announcements regarding a forthcoming title or its availability for pre-order do not constitute actual publication.
PRHI reiterated its position by warning that any circulation of the book, in whole or in part—whether through print, PDF, digital files, online platforms, or offline means—amounts to copyright infringement. The company stated it would pursue all available legal remedies against such unauthorized distribution.
The memoir reportedly contains General Naravane’s firsthand perspectives on significant events, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the broader military standoff along the Line of Actual Control with China, and the introduction of the Agnipath recruitment scheme. It highlights perceived policy differences, such as an instance during the August 2020 standoff where the former Army chief awaited but did not receive explicit government directives.
Neither PRHI nor General Naravane has provided details on how an unauthorized copy may have reached public figures or circulated online, given the book’s unpublished status and lack of official clearance.
The Delhi Police case, now under investigation, underscores concerns over the breach of an as-yet-unreleased manuscript containing sensitive military and policy-related accounts.