Delhi Police Special Cell launches international investigation over alleged premature digital release
February 12, 2026: A controversy has erupted over the alleged leak of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir Four Stars of Destiny, with the Delhi Police Special Cell initiating an international investigation. The probe follows indications that the manuscript surfaced on global digital platforms before receiving mandatory clearance from the Defence Ministry. Officials say the premature appearance of the book has raised serious concerns within security circles, given the strict protocols governing the publication of defence-related material.
Preliminary findings suggest the episode may not be a case of routine digital piracy. Investigators believe the manuscript’s circulation points to a calculated effort that bypassed established safeguards, leading to its wide digital dissemination ahead of official approval. Authorities are now examining the chain of custody to determine where the breach occurred and whether internal or external actors were involved in facilitating the leak.
Criminal conspiracy charges have been registered, and the Special Cell is assessing whether the leak was part of a coordinated plan to ensure broad online distribution. A notice has also been issued to Penguin Random House India, the publisher of the memoir, seeking clarification on the security measures in place and how the unpublished manuscript allegedly entered the public domain prematurely.