Dubai: Indian billionaire ‘Abu Sabah’ jailed, Dh150 million seized
Court orders Dh500,000 fine, deportation after jail term
DUBAI: Indian billionaire and property tycoon Balvinder Singh Sahni, famously known as ‘Abu Sabah’, has been sentenced to five years in jail for his involvement in money laundering through a criminal organisation.
The Dubai-based businessman, who gained fame after purchasing car plate number D5 for Dh33 million in 2016, now faces deportation following his sentence.
According to Gulf News, the ruling was issued by Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court, which also ordered the confiscation of Dh150 million believed to be laundered funds. Sahni was additionally fined Dh500,000.
A total of 33 individuals, including Sahni’s son, were named in the case, which was initially referred to the Public Prosecution on December 18, 2024. The first court hearing was held on January 9.
Money trail
Investigations uncovered an elaborate laundering scheme involving shell companies and international financial operations. Authorities seized mobile phones, electronic devices, and documents tied to suspicious activities. Some of the defendants were sentenced in absentia, while others appeared in court and received one-year jail terms with fines of Dh200,000 each.
Three companies associated with the criminal network were also convicted, receiving fines of Dh50 million apiece, along with court orders to seize illicit assets under their control.
From luxury to lock-up
Sahni, born in Kuwait in 1972, built his fortune through the RSG Group of Companies, with operations across the UAE, the US, and India. His extravagant lifestyle earned media attention, particularly for showcasing multiple Rolls-Royce vehicles with exclusive number plates. His Dubai mansion, which featured a Bugatti in the living room, was regularly spotlighted in luxury segments.
His 2016 record-breaking purchase of the “D5” number plate at a Dubai Roads and Transport Authority auction marked his rise into elite social circles.