Indian Billionaire Sentenced to Prison and Exiled by Dubai Court

United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have dealt a major blow to prominent Indian businessman and billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni. A criminal court in Dubai has sentenced him to five years in prison after confirming his involvement in large-scale money laundering activities. In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a substantial fine, ordered the confiscation of assets, and directed that Sahni be deported from the country following the completion of his jail term.

Balvinder Singh Sahni, 53, is the founder and chairman of RSG Property Development Company. A case was filed against him and several others in 2024 over alleged financial crimes. The primary allegation was that Sahni illegally transferred approximately 150 million dirhams (around ₹340 crore) using shell companies and forged invoices.

Following the investigation, the Dubai Fourth Criminal Court concluded that Sahni had indeed committed financial fraud based on available evidence. The court declared Sahni and the other accused guilty after the trial.

Balvinder Singh Sahni was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 500,000 dirhams (approximately ₹1.14 crore). The court also ordered the confiscation of assets linked to the illegal transactions, valued at 150 million dirhams (around ₹340 crore). Furthermore, the judgment stipulated that Sahni must be deported from the UAE upon completing his prison term. Reports also indicate that Sahni’s eldest son is among those convicted in the same case.

Balvinder Singh Sahni operates a real estate business under the name "Raj Sahni Group" (RSG), which has operations not only in the UAE but also in the United States and India. In Dubai's Sports City and other locations, Sahni owns luxury residential and commercial towers, as well as five-star hotels. Within elite circles in Dubai, he is popularly known as "Abu Sabah." Known for his love of luxury cars, Sahni made international headlines in 2016 when he spent 33 million dirhams (approximately ₹75 crore at the time) to acquire a custom number plate for his Rolls-Royce.