Dubai: Prominent Dubai-based Indian businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, also known as Abu Sabah, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Dubai court for his involvement in a large-scale money laundering operation. In addition to the jail term, Sahni has been fined Dh500,000 (approximately Rs 1.15 crore), and the court has ordered the confiscation of Dh150 million (RS 344 crore) in illicit assets. He will be deported from the UAE upon completion of his sentence.
The case, which involves 33 other individuals including Sahni’s son, centers on allegations of financial fraud carried out through a network of front companies and falsified invoices. Several other co-accused received lighter sentences, while three companies were slapped with fines of Dh50 million each.
Who Is Balvinder Singh Sahni?
53-year old Sahni is a well-known figure in Dubai’s elite circles, heading the Raj Sahni Group (RSG), a real estate development firm with projects spanning the UAE, India, the US, and beyond.
His Dubai property portfolio includes luxury apartments in Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Sports City, as well as commercial assets and a five-star hotel, Sabah Dubai.
Famed for his flamboyant lifestyle, Sahni drew global attention in 2016 when he purchased the car number plate “D5” for Dh33 million for his Rolls-Royce. With 3.3 million Instagram followers, he frequently showcased his fleet of high-end cars and was often spotted in his trademark royal blue kandura and matching accessories.
The Case and Court Verdict
The investigation into Sahni began in 2024 at Bur Dubai Police Station before being handed over to the prosecutors. Authorities uncovered a web of suspicious transactions and shell companies operating across multiple countries. The Fourth Criminal Court ruled that Sahni and others laundered Dh150 million through fraudulent business practices.
According to Khaleej Times, some defendants were tried in absentia, while others received lesser sentences, including one-year jail terms and Dh200,000 fines. The court’s ruling marks one of the most high-profile financial crime convictions in recent UAE history, as per reports.
