Balvinder Singh Sahni, a Dubai-based Indian businessman also known as ‘Abu Sabah,’ has been sentenced to five years in prison by Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court on charges of money laundering through a criminal network, as reported by Gulf News. The court also imposed a fine of AED 500,000 (around ₹1.14 crore) on Sahni and ordered the confiscation of AED 150 million (approximately ₹344 crore) linked to the illegal activities. After serving his sentence, Sahni will be deported from the UAE.

Who is Balvinder Singh Sahni?: Sahni is a prominent businessman in Dubai, known for founding the RSG Group, a real estate and property management firm with operations in the UAE, India, the US, and other countries. He gained attention in 2016 when he bought the car number plate ‘D5’ for AED 33 million (around $9 million at the time), one of the most expensive car plates ever sold. Sahni, famous for his lavish lifestyle, frequently made headlines for his luxury cars, high-end real estate investments, and charity events.

Criminal Network Using Shell Companies: The investigation began at Bur Dubai Police Station and was later transferred to the Public Prosecution in December 2024. The case was first heard in court on January 9, 2025. The investigation revealed that Sahni, along with 32 others, including his son, was involved in an extensive money laundering operation. The group used shell companies, fake partnerships, and forged invoices to move illegal money not just in the UAE but also internationally. The network employed complex methods to disguise the illicit origins of their funds. Authorities seized electronic devices, documents, mobile phones, and financial data during the investigation. The court declared that the AED 150 million was obtained through illegal means and ordered its confiscation.

Multiple Defendants: The case involved 33 defendants in total, some of whom appeared in court while others were tried in absentia. In addition to Sahni’s five-year sentence, several other individuals received one-year prison terms and AED 200,000 fines each. Three companies found guilty were fined AED 50 million each and ordered to surrender any criminal assets they possessed.