Retired General Manoj Mukund Naravane has publicly addressed the growing controversy surrounding his upcoming memoir Four Stars of Destiny, endorsing a statement from Penguin Random House India that denies any official publication or authorised circulation of the book.

Taking to social media, General Naravane shared the publisher’s clarification, stating that the current situation reflects the true status of the manuscript. Penguin Random House India, which holds exclusive publishing rights to the book, confirmed that the title has not yet been formally released in any physical or digital format.

The publisher warned that any version of the book currently circulating—whether complete or partial—would constitute an unauthorised copy and a breach of copyright law. Legal action, it said, could follow against those responsible for distributing or hosting such material.

As questions mounted over how an unpublished manuscript reportedly reached political figures, Penguin issued an additional clarification to explain standard publishing procedures. The company emphasised that announcing a book, listing it for pre-orders, and officially publishing it are separate stages, and that Four Stars of Destiny has not yet entered the final stage of public release.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have opened an investigation into the alleged leak after registering an FIR. Authorities reported discovering a typeset PDF version of the book on certain websites and noted that some online platforms displayed its cover as though it were available for sale, despite lacking formal clearance.

The issue has also sparked political fallout after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen referencing a purported copy of the book in Parliament, triggering repeated disruptions and disciplinary action against several MPs during the Budget session.

As the investigation continues, Penguin Random House India reiterated its commitment to transparency, maintaining that the memoir will only be considered officially published once it is formally launched and made available through authorised retail channels.