Balvinder Singh Sahni, a Dubai-based billionaire of Indian origin, popularly known as "Abu Sabah", was sentenced to five years in prison in Dubai on May 6, 2025. He was convicted of money laundering through a criminal organization.
As part of the sentence, Dubai's Fourth Criminal Court, which is part of the Dubai court system, ordered the confiscation of Dh 150 million from Sahni and imposed a fine of Dh 500,000. The court also ordered his deportation after he completes his jail term.
The case, which was transferred from Bur Dubai Police Station to the Public Prosecution on December 18, 2024, involves a total of 33 defendants, including Sahni’s son.
About Sahni
Sahni was born in Kuwait, a country in the Middle East. He is the founder of RSG Group, a property management firm which operates in the UAE, the US, and India.
Sahni gained fame in 2016 after purchasing the license plate “D5” for Dh 33 million, reported to be one of the most expensive in the Emirates. He also bought the “O6” plate for AED 24.5 million, reflecting his belief in luck. He said,
“I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine, and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it,”
Sahni lived a lavish lifestyle, often showcasing it on social media.This included owning several Rolls-Royce cars, a Mercedes-AMG G63, a mansion with custom Bentley furniture, and even a Bugatti Chiron on display. His lifestyle was also featured in a YouTube video on the popular "Mo Vlogs" channel.
Despite his luxurious life, Sahni was also known for his charitable work, especially in Punjab. After his father, Amrik Singh, passed away in 2004, he built an old-age home called "Apna Ghar" in Amritsar. When his mother, Harbans Kaur Sahni, died in 2007, he constructed a tuberculosis hospital, and later, India’s largest hospital for the deaf and mute, all in the same region.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated AED 1 million to Abu Dhabi’s “Together We Are Good” program and helped raise funds for medical research. In 2020, he was honoured with the “Businessman of the Year” award at the Sikh Awards in Dubai. [Rh/VP]