“Dubai Court Sentences Indian Billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni to 5 Years for Money Laundering”

Dubai-based Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni, widely recognized as ‘Abu Sabah’, has been sentenced to five years in prison following his conviction on charges of money laundering. The ruling was delivered by Dubai’s Fourth Criminal Court, which also imposed a fine of 500,000 AED (approximately ₹1 crore) on the property developer. Sahni, the chairman of RSG Group, is accused of laundering 150 million AED (roughly ₹344 crore) through a network of shell companies and forged invoices. In addition to the prison sentence and fine, the court ordered that Sahni be deported after serving his time.

Sahni, a well-known figure in Dubai’s elite social circles, had displayed a lavish lifestyle that included purchasing a $9 million license plate for one of his Rolls Royce cars. His conviction is linked to a major money-laundering operation, which authorities allege involved sophisticated techniques like fake commercial partnerships, shell companies, and suspicious financial transactions across both UAE and international borders.

The Case Against Balvinder Singh Sahni

The investigation into Sahni’s activities began in 2024 when a case was filed at the Bur Dubai Police Station. The charges were later transferred to the Public Prosecution in December of the same year. In January 2025, the first court session was held, where prosecutors presented evidence showing Sahni’s involvement in laundering money through fraudulent business activities. The court found that Sahni had used shell companies to conceal the illegal transactions, which spanned multiple jurisdictions.

In May 2025, Sahni was convicted, with the Dubai court ordering the confiscation of assets worth 150 million AED, which were believed to be proceeds of the laundering scheme. His son was also among 32 individuals convicted in connection with the case. Some defendants received lighter penalties, including one-year jail terms and fines of 200,000 AED. Additionally, three companies implicated in the case were each fined 50 million AED.

A Complex Scheme Involving Shell Companies and Fake Partnerships

The money-laundering scheme, uncovered during an extensive investigation, involved the use of forged invoices and fake commercial partnerships to obscure illicit financial transactions. Authorities seized electronic devices, documents, and financial records as part of their probe, which revealed the extent of the operation.

Sahni’s high-profile lifestyle and connections in Dubai’s business circles had kept him in the spotlight. However, this legal setback marks a significant fall from grace for the once-celebrated property developer. His sentence, which includes both prison time and a substantial fine, serves as a stern reminder of the serious consequences associated with financial crimes.

As per the court ruling, Sahni will be deported upon completion of his prison term, bringing an end to the billionaire’s business operations in the UAE. His son and several others remain convicted in connection with the money-laundering conspiracy, with some defendants still facing additional penalties or legal action.

The case continues to unfold, and authorities are expected to pursue further legal actions to address the broader network of financial crimes associated with Sahni and his associates.

Sources By Agencies

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