Penguin Random House India (PRHI) on Monday issued a clarification stating that it holds the sole publishing rights to Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and that the book has not yet been published in any form.
Statement from the publisher. pic.twitter.com/pksacg3EeT
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) February 9, 2026
In a statement posted on X, the publisher said that the memoir has not gone into publication and that no copies—whether in print or digital format—have been released, distributed, sold, or made accessible to the public.
“In light of recent public discourse and media reporting, Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army. We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication,” the post read.
PRHI further warned that any copies of the book currently circulating in any form constitute a violation of its copyright. The publisher said it would pursue legal remedies against any unauthorised distribution.
“Any copies of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, constitute an infringement of PRHI’s copyright and must immediately be ceased,” the statement said. “Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book.”
The publisher added that the clarification was being issued to formally place its position on record.
The statement comes amid a political controversy that erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited excerpts from what he described as a “pre-print” version of the memoir during his speech in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address last week. The remarks drew strong objections from treasury benches, leading to repeated adjournments of the House. Despite the disruptions, the motion of thanks was eventually adopted by voice vote amid opposition sloganeering.
Separately, the Delhi Police has taken cognisance of reports circulating on social media platforms and news forums claiming that a pre-print copy of Four Stars of Destiny is in circulation. Officials said that the Special Cell has registered a case to probe the alleged leak or breach involving a publication that has not yet received approval.
Delhi Police officials confirmed that an investigation is underway into claims regarding the availability of a pre-print version of the book.
