Delhi Police Quiz Penguin India In 2-Day Probe Into Alleged Leak Of Gen Naravane’s Memoir

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 13:25 IST

Delhi Police Special Cell is probing Penguin India over the alleged leak of General MM Naravane's unpublished memoir, focusing on PDF and hard copy circulation.

The Delhi Police Special Cell has questioned representatives of Penguin India for two consecutive days in connection with the alleged leak of the unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane, sources told CNN-News18.

It was also known that investigators were seeking detailed information about the handling and circulation of the manuscript and its digital files.

Representatives of the company may be called again for further questioning as the probe progresses.

The Special Cell had earlier issued a notice to the publisher seeking responses to around 15 questions and 15 different angles, and also visited its office in Gurugram.

On Thursday, company representatives were called in for questioning, where they provided responses to some queries and sought time to answer others.

Police said the replies are being analysed and further questioning of management and publishing representatives is likely.

The investigation is being conducted on two separate primary lines.

FOCUS ON THE PDF VERSION

The first angle concerns the PDF version of the book that allegedly surfaced before its official publication and before receiving mandatory clearances from the Defence Ministry.

According to Special Cell sources, during examination of the available PDF file, investigators found that the space where the printer’s name is typically mentioned was left blank.

Normally, the printer or publisher’s name is written after “print," and its absence has raised suspicion that the file may have been leaked before it was sent for printing.

Police have sought complete details from Penguin India regarding the movement of the PDF file, including the various stages it went through, how many individuals had access to it, and whether it was shared online or offline.

Sources said the publication process had been underway for nearly three years, and the publisher has requested time to compile the relevant data sought by the Special Cell.

According to news agency PTI, investigators are also examining the digital trail of the alleged leak to establish the origin and pattern of dissemination.

It is suspected that the first leaks were uploaded on the .io domain extensions linked to the British Overseas Territory before appearing on other hosting platforms.

Police are analysing the ISBN, the unique 13-digit identifier assigned to books, which was visible on the leaked versions.

Officials indicated that the publisher may be questioned about how ISBN-linked versions surfaced online prior to official publication.

THE HARD COPY DISPLAYED IN PARLIAMENT

The second line of investigation relates to the hard copy of the book displayed in Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi.

The controversy intensified after excerpts from the memoir were read out in the Lok Sabha, triggering a political row.

According to sources cited by ANI, the Special Cell is examining how the hard copy was obtained and how it was circulated.

It was also claimed that the book was available overseas and online, and investigators are probing the alleged sale or distribution of pre-print copies in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Investigators have invoked sections related to criminal conspiracy in the FIR, suspecting that the leak may not have been accidental.

They are also examining the timing of the publisher’s statement on X.

A senior police officer told PTI that the publisher would be asked why its statement was issued only after the FIR was registered and why police were not approached immediately after the leak came to light.

In an earlier statement, Penguin Random House India said that the book “has not gone into publication and that no copies, either print or digital, have been released, distributed or sold by the company."

Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation, which aims to determine whether the alleged leak was the result of negligence or part of a coordinated conspiracy.

News india Delhi Police Quiz Penguin India In 2-Day Probe Into Alleged Leak Of Gen Naravane’s Memoir

Read More