In a significant legal development, Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court has sentenced Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni, widely known as ‘Abu Sabah’, to five years in prison on charges of money laundering. The court also imposed a fine of AED 500,000 (approximately ₹1.15 crore) and ordered the confiscation of assets worth AED 150 million (around ₹344 crore).
Sahni, the chairman of RSG Group of Companies, was found guilty of orchestrating a complex money laundering scheme involving shell companies, forged invoices, and fictitious commercial partnerships. The investigation, initiated in 2024 at the Bur Dubai Police Station and later transferred to the Public Prosecution, uncovered suspicious financial transactions spanning both the UAE and international jurisdictions.
The court proceedings revealed that Sahni laundered AED 150 million through these illicit activities. His eldest son was among the 32 individuals convicted alongside him, with some defendants tried in absentia. While Sahni received the maximum sentence, several others were handed lighter penalties, including one-year jail terms and fines of AED 200,000.Additionally, three companies implicated in the scheme were each fined AED 50 million.
Authorities seized electronic devices, documents, and financial records during the investigation, which highlighted the use of forged invoices and partnerships to mask illicit transactions.
Sahni, a prominent figure in Dubai’s real estate sector, gained notoriety in 2016 for purchasing a coveted single-digit license plate number ‘5’ for AED 33 million. His extravagant lifestyle and significant investments had made him a staple in discussions about wealth and extravagance in the UAE.
The court has also ordered Sahni’s deportation upon completion of his prison sentence, underscoring the UAE’s stringent stance on financial misconduct and its commitment to upholding the integrity of its banking and financial systems.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in business conduct, even amidst the pursuit of wealth and status. As the situation unfolds, the business world watches closely, awaiting further details and the potential ramifications this high-profile case may have on the perception and practices of business in Dubai.
