Police Question Penguin Officials in M. M. Naravane’s Former Army Chief Memoir Leak Case

New Delhi: A team from the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Friday questioned officials of Penguin Random House India in connection with the alleged leak of former Army Chief M. M. Naravane’s memoir, Four Stars of Destiny.

According to sources, the questioning session lasted nearly two hours. Investigators reportedly posed around 15 questions to the publisher’s representatives, focusing on the manuscript’s handling, editorial process, and internal access protocols prior to publication.

The probe is centered on how portions of the memoir allegedly surfaced in the public domain before its official release. Authorities are examining whether there was any unauthorized sharing, breach of confidentiality agreements, or lapses in digital security during the publishing process.

Sources indicated that police sought details regarding the timeline of manuscript submission, the number of individuals who had access to the draft, and the safeguards in place to prevent leaks. Officials from the publishing house are said to have cooperated with investigators and provided relevant documents and clarifications.

The memoir, written by General Naravane following his tenure as India’s Army Chief, reportedly contains accounts of key strategic and military developments during his service. Any premature disclosure of its contents has raised concerns regarding confidentiality and national security sensitivity.

The Delhi Police have not issued an official statement detailing the progress of the investigation but confirmed that inquiries are ongoing. Further action will depend on the findings of the probe.

The case highlights increasing scrutiny around information security and publishing ethics, particularly when dealing with high-profile memoirs involving senior defence officials.