The Delhi Police Special Cell has initiated a cross-border investigation into the alleged unauthorized circulation of Four Stars of Destiny, the upcoming memoir of former Army Chief General MM Naravane. Officials believe the book entered international digital platforms even before receiving mandatory approval from India’s Defence Ministry.

An FIR has been registered on charges related to criminal conspiracy after concerns emerged about how the unreleased content reached political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Early findings suggest the incident may involve a coordinated effort rather than a random act of online piracy.

Investigators are tracing digital records and possible financial links in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia, where the book was reportedly available for online access or sale ahead of its formal clearance.

The issue gained political traction after excerpts from the unpublished memoir were referenced in Parliament, triggering debate and intensifying scrutiny. Publisher Penguin India has clarified that the book has not been officially released and that no legitimate copies are in circulation.

Global digital footprint under scanner:

Authorities discovered that the first appearance of the leaked material occurred on a foreign website, later spreading across various hosting platforms. The investigation suggests that the digital trail points to a systematic effort to distribute the content internationally.

ISBN raises suspicion:

A major point of concern is the presence of a valid International Standard Book Number (ISBN) in the leaked version. This identifier is typically assigned only to finalized and commercially prepared publications, indicating that the leaked file may have originated from a production-ready source rather than an early draft.

The ISBN linked to the leaked book reportedly matches records associated with Penguin India, prompting investigators to examine how the identifier was registered and whether it played a role in the unauthorized distribution.

Organized leak suspected:

Officials believe the combination of international availability, structured online listings and formal publishing markers signals a deliberate breach of publishing and approval protocols. The probe has expanded to track overseas collaborators, financial transactions and potential networks involved in pushing the book into foreign markets ahead of authorization.

The Defence Ministry has yet to release an official statement as inquiries continue.