Dubai Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni was convicted last week to five years in prison for money laundering.Dubai Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni was convicted last week to five years in prison for money laundering. A Dubai court ordered the businessman, popularly referred to as ‘Abu Sabah’, to seize 150 million AED (₹344 crore), Gulf News stated.
Sahni, a fixture in Dubai’s elite circles, has been convicted of laundering 150 million dirham through a network of shell companies and forged invoices. Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court has imposed a fine of 500,000 AED on the Indian businessman and sentenced him to five years in prison.
The court has also ordered that Sahni be deported after the completion of his prison sentence. Sahni’s son was among the 32 other people convicted alongside him, reported Khaleej Times.
Balvinder Singh Sahni was known for his extravagant displays of wealth – the property developer once paid $9 million for a coveted license plate for one of his Rolls Royce cars.
Born in Kuwait in 1972, Sahni is the chairman and founder of the RSG Group,
a property and real estate management company with operations in the UAE, India, the US, and other nations. He is famous for his lavish lifestyle, such as buying the “D5” number plate for AED 33 million (around $9 million) in 2016, one of the highest-priced car plates ever sold. Sahni’s extravagant expenses included a $100 million Dubai mansion and a fleet of luxury vehicles. The Money Laundering Case
The proceedings against Sahni Bur Dubai Police Station and were subsequently shifted to the Public Prosecution. Investigations indicated that Sahni and 33 others, including his son, had run a complex money laundering ring involving shell companies and fake invoices to transfer illegal money. The court established that they laundered AED 150 million through such fake operations.
A few defendants were tried in absentia, with others being issued reduced sentences ranging from one-year jail terms and AED 200,000 fines. Three firms that played a part in the scam each paid AED 50 million fines
The case against Abu Sabah
The case against RSG Group chairman Sahni was originally reported at the Bur Dubai Police Station in 2024. It was referred to the Public Prosecution on December 18 of that year. The first court hearing was on January 9, 2025, where prosecutors presented evidence of a high-level laundering scheme involving shell companies, fictitious commercial partnerships, and suspicious transactions across both UAE and foreign jurisdictions.
The case ended in a May 2025 conviction, with the Dubai court sentencing Sahni to a fine of AED 500,000 and the forfeiture of assets worth AED 150 million, which are suspected to be proceeds of the illicit activity.
The court also directed his deportation after serving the sentence. His eldest son was one of 32 others found guilty, with some defendants tried in absentia. Others received lighter sentences, such as one-year prison terms and AED 200,000 fines, and three companies were fined AED 50 million each.
Authorities confiscated electronic equipment, documents, and financial records during the investigation, which emphasized the utilization of fake invoices and joint ventures to conceal illegal transactions.
Impact and Repercussions
Sahni’s conviction represents a dramatic fall from grace for a man who was once feted in Dubai’s high society. His sentencing reflects the UAE’s determination to fight financial crimes and acts as a warning to others involved in similar illegal ventures.
The case has attracted attention around the world, and it points to the need for transparency and accountability in global financial transactions. It also questions the due diligence practices that exist in high-end markets and luxury real estate, where illegal money can at times be hidden.
Conclusion
Balvinder Singh Sahni’s jail term for money laundering is a harsh reminder that status and wealth do not put people beyond the law. As governments continue to clamp down on financial crimes, this case could lead to heightened scrutiny of wealthy individuals and their business activities across the globe.
FAQS:
Who is Balvinder Singh Sahni?
Balvinder Singh Sahni, alias “Abu Sabah,” is a Dubai-based Indian-origin billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and founder of the RSG Group, a real estate and development company with operations in various countries.
What was Balvinder Singh Sahni convicted for?
Sahni was convicted by a Dubai criminal court for money laundering of AED 150 million (approx. ₹344 crore). He was also held guilty of dealing in forged documents and opening shell companies to enable the illegal transactions.
What was his sentence?
Sahni was sentenced to 5 years in prison, a fine of AED 500,000, and asset seizure of AED 150 million. He will be deported from the UAE upon the completion of his sentence.
May 25, 2025