New Delhi: The Delhi Police Special Cell has initiated a high-level investigation into the alleged leak of former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, titled 'Four Stars of Destiny', while according to police sources, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy. Preliminary findings suggest that the book's contents were leaked through a well-planned and coordinated campaign, intentionally bypassing the mandatory clearance protocols established by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The controversy erupted after excerpts and digital copies of the book began circulating on various platforms before its official release. Investigators believe that this wasn't an isolated incident of theft but a strategic move to circumvent official scrutiny. The Delhi Police are now examining how a manuscript containing sensitive military perspectives was disseminated across digital channels without the requisite permissions.
Global Digital Circulation and Premature Sales
Sources within the Special Cell have revealed that the investigation has uncovered a significant international dimension to the leak, while it has been found that General Naravane’s book wasn't only circulated but also went on sale prematurely on online platforms in countries including Canada, Australia, Germany, and the USA. The police are currently tracking digital and financial footprints in these jurisdictions to identify the entities responsible for this global distribution prior to any official authorization.
Violation of Ministry of Defence Protocols
Under existing regulations, any retired high-ranking military officer intending to publish memoirs based on their service must obtain a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence. Reports indicate that General Naravane’s manuscript was still awaiting final clearance from the ministry when the leak occurred. The investigation aims to determine how the official approval process was bypassed and whether the publisher or other intermediaries played a role in violating these security protocols.
Scope of the Criminal Conspiracy Investigation
The registration of an FIR for criminal conspiracy marks a significant escalation in the probe. The Special Cell's investigation now spans multiple continents, focusing on the digital trail left by the unauthorized publication. Authorities are working to identify the specific servers and IP addresses used to first upload the manuscript. Also, investigators are looking into how an unpublished copy reached political figures, as alleged in several media reports, suggesting a deeper network involved in the leak.
Analysis of Security and Legal Implications
According to legal and security analysts, the unauthorized release of such a memoir poses challenges to national security protocols and intellectual property rights. Analysts suggest that memoirs written by former top military brass undergo rigorous vetting to ensure that no classified information is compromised. If the investigation concludes that the leak was a deliberate act to undermine official procedures, the parties involved could face stringent legal action under various national security and administrative laws.
Currently, the Delhi Police Special Cell is collaborating with digital forensic experts to reconstruct the timeline of the leak. Inquiries are expected to be extended to the publishing house and other stakeholders involved in the production of the book, while the primary objective remains to uncover the mechanics of the 'coordinated campaign' that facilitated the bypass of the Ministry of Defence's oversight.