New Delhi:The Delhi Police Special Cell has issued a notice to Penguin Random House India Private Limited amid the controversy surrounding former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s book. According to Times Now sources, the publisher has been asked to join the investigation and respond to specific queries related to the book. The move comes amid a growing political storm over certain claims made in General MM Naravane’s yet-to-be-released memoir Four Stars of Destiny.

According to officials, the Delhi Police Special Cell has registered a case under sections related to criminal conspiracy over the alleged leak of the unpublished book. The notice sent to Penguin Random House India seeks answers to specific questions and asks the publisher to join the investigation.

Also Read:Why Former Army Chief MM Naravane’s Memoir Has Become A Political Flashpoint

The controversy began after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from the book in the Lok Sabha while attacking the government.

Gandhi referred to excerpts which allegedly state that during the 2020 India-China standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the political leadership hesitated to give clear instructions when Chinese tanks moved forward. He cited a line attributed to the leadership telling General Naravane: “Jo uchit samjho woh karo” (Do whatever you think is appropriate).

As Gandhi began reading from the book, BJP leaders strongly objected. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said an unpublished book cannot be quoted in Parliament. Speaker Om Birla ruled that Gandhi could not cite the contents as it was “unpublished literature” and not authenticated.

Later, Gandhi displayed a hardbound copy of the book inside the Parliament complex and challenged the government’s claim that the book “doesn’t exist.” He also said he wanted to gift a copy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This further escalated the row, with questions being raised about how Gandhi accessed the book before its official release.

General Naravane also stated that the book has not yet been officially released.

However, Rahul Gandhi pointed to a 2023 social media post by General Naravane saying, “My book is available now,” and noted that the title had been listed for pre-order online. Gandhi questioned whether the General or the publisher was being truthful, adding that he “chooses to believe the Army Chief.”

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