Dubai-based Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni, also known as ‘Abu Sabah’, was sentenced to five years in jail last week for money laundering. As reported by Gulf News, a Dubai court also ordered that 150 million AED (about Rs 344 crore) be taken away from him.
Balvinder has been found guilty of laundering 150 million dirhams using fake companies and fake invoices. Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court has given him a five-year jail sentence and fined him 500,000 AED.
The court also said that Sahni will be deported after he finishes his prison term. According to Khaleej Times, his son was one of 32 other people who were also found guilty in the case.
Sahni was famous for his luxurious lifestyle. He once spent $9 million just to buy a special license plate for his Rolls Royce.
Inside Abu Sabah’s Scandal
The case against Sahni, who is the chairman of RSG Group, started in 2024 at the Bur Dubai Police Station. It was later handed over to the Public Prosecution on December 18, 2024. The first court hearing was held on January 9, 2025. In that session, prosecutors shared evidence of a complex, false business deals, and suspicious money transfers in the UAE and other countries.
The case ended in May 2025 with Sahni being found guilty. The Dubai court ordered him to pay a fine of AED 500,000 and give up assets worth AED 150 million, which were believed to be earned through illegal activities.
The court also said Sahni will be deported after he finishes his jail time. His oldest son was one of 32 other people found guilty. Some of them were not present in court and were tried in their absence. A few were given lighter punishments, like one-year jail sentences and AED 200,000 fines. Three companies were each fined AED 50 million.
As part of the investigation, authorities took electronic devices, documents, and financial records. They found that fake invoices and fake business partnership were used to hide illegal money transfers.
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