New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday questioned the government’s handling of the controversy around former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s memoir, saying he believed the retired general over the publisher after Delhi Police filed an FIR over the alleged circulation of the unpublished book.

Referring to social media posts and online listings, Gandhi said the book appeared to be available publicly despite the publisher claiming otherwise. “Either Mr Naravane is lying or it is Penguin which is lying. I don't think the former Army chief will lie...Penguin says the book has not been published. But the book is available on Amazon. Gen. Naravane has tweeted,” he said, adding that the book may contain statements that are “inconvenient for the Government of India and the Prime Minister of India.”

Gandhi’s remarks came after Delhi Police registered an FIR to investigate the alleged illegal circulation of Gen Naravane’s memoir, titled Four Stars of Destiny, in digital and other formats.

Publisher denies release

Penguin Random House India issued a statement clarifying that it holds exclusive publishing rights to the book and that no copies — in print or digital form — have been released to the public.

“We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication...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 publisher said.