When a sniper’s Instagram reel became a BRICS security breach

Delhi Police constable was deployed as rooftop sniper at central Delhi hotel housing foreign delegates; videos showed him handling a pistol and looking through a sniper rifle scope.

A departmental enquiry has been initiated against the Delhi Police constable. (Image: Screengrabs from viral videos)

New Delhi: A Delhi Police constable deployed as a rooftop sniper during the 18th BRICS Summit has been suspended after he allegedly made Instagram reels of himself handling firearms while on duty.

The constable, Deepak Bangar, is posted with the Foreigners Cell, in the Northwest district. He was deployed for BRICS security at a five-star hotel in Central Delhi where foreign delegates were staying.

Bangar was assigned to sniper duty on the hotel terrace. Two videos he posted on Instagram later came to the notice of the police department.

In one video, Bangar is seen in civilian clothes, wearing his BRICS Summit 2026 identity card and handling a service pistol. The footage also shows the surroundings of the hotel. In another video, he is seen looking through the scope of a sniper rifle from the terrace, with nearby VVIP structures visible in the background.

The videos were posted from Bangar’s Instagram account, @jaat.bangar.0143. His account has since been blocked.

The videos drew attention on social media, with questions being raised over the justification for recording and posting such footage while he was deployed for a sensitive security assignment.

Delhi Police subsequently removed Bangar from BRICS duty and suspended him with immediate effect. He was sent back to his home district.

“Taking serious note of the disciplinary lapse, he was taken off BRICS duty and suspended with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry has been ordered to establish the circumstances in which the videos were recorded and uploaded. Further disciplinary proceedings will be initiated as per rules,” a senior police officer said, not wanting to be named.

Bangar’s suspension comes amid heightened scrutiny of social media activity by police personnel deployed on sensitive assignments, where photographs or videos can potentially reveal details of security arrangements and locations.

Aditya Edara is a TPSJ alum, currently interning with ThePrint.

(Edited by Prakhar Agrawal)