“Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book,”

Penguin Random House India late on Monday night issued a clarification stating that it holds the sole publishing rights for Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by former Chief of the Indian Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

The publisher asserted that the book has not yet been published in any form.

“We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book - in print or digital form - have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India,” the statement said. 

The clarification comes amid a controversy over the alleged circulation of unauthorized copies of the book and a political showdown that has led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha for several consecutive days. The Delhi Police have filed an FIR and initiated an investigation into the alleged illegal distribution of the book.

Penguin Random House India warned that it would pursue legal remedies against the illegal and unauthorized dissemination of the book, stating that such circulation amounts to copyright infringement.

“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, constitutes an infringement of PRHI's copyright and must immediately be ceased,” the statement read.

“Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book,” it added.

The controversy stems from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to cite excerpts from the book in the Lok Sabha. He has since been prevented from doing so on the grounds that the book has not been officially published.

Earlier on Tuesday, speaking to the media, Gandhi said that either General Naravane or the publisher was lying. He said he believed the former Army chief over the publisher.

“Here is a tweet from Mr Naravane which says -"Just follow the link to my book". The point I am making is - either Mr Naravane is lying or it is Penguin which is lying. I don't think the former Army chief will lie,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“Penguin says the book has not been published. But the book is available on Amazon. Gen. Naravane has tweeted, "Please buy my book in 2023." I believe Naravane ji over Penguin,” Gandhi claimed.

Gandhi further stated that the former Army chief had made what he described as “certain statements” in the book that are allegedly inconvenient for the Government of India and the Prime Minister.

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