A Dubai court has imposed a fine of Rs 360 crore (150 million dirhams) in the money laundering case on Indian -origin businessman Balwinder Singh Sahni, aka ‘Abu Sabah’. Along with this, five years of punishment has also been heard.
He will be deported from Dubai after completion of the sentence. The case is reported to be one of the biggest financial crime cases of UAE, in which 33 accused were taken in siege. Investigation revealed that Sahni and his associates made suspicious transactions through shell companies and brought illegal funds of crores of rupees to abroad.
According to officials, he transferred around Rs 432 crore to Britain’s drug smugglers to five digital wallets through bitcoins and then converted to cash to a luxurious hotel apartment in Dubai. Sahni transferred 4% commission on every transaction and transferred this money to his three companies.
During the hearing started in January 2025, the court ordered 150 million Dirham, electronic device and other seized goods to be seized by declaring property acquired from crime. Sahni, popularly known as ‘Abu Sabah’, was known for his grand lifestyle and hobby of luxury cars. In 2016, he paid Rs 79 crore for the ‘5’ number plate with just one digit. Originally born in Kuwait, Sahni first made assets with the business of spare parts and tire and then settled in Dubai in 2006.