Dubai Court closes 'Abu Sabah' case: Dh150 million fine replaced with asset confiscation

Dubai: The Dubai Court of Cassation has issued a final ruling in the high-profile money laundering case known as the “Abu Sabah case”, partially overturning a Court of Appeal judgment by cancelling a Dh150 million joint fine and ordering instead the confiscation of funds derived from the crime.

The court upheld the remainder of the conviction against the businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, referred to as “Abu Sabah”, including a five-year prison sentence, a Dh500,000 fine, confiscation of criminal proceeds and deportation from the UAE upon completion of the sentence. It also affirmed the custodial sentences and financial penalties imposed on the remaining defendants in one of the largest money laundering cases heard by Dubai courts.

The Court of Appeal had earlier amended the first instance ruling by imposing a Dh150 million joint fine on “Abu Sabah” and the other defendants, while maintaining his prison sentence, fine and deportation order. The case involved the conviction of 33 defendants, including 32 co-accused.

Court records show that the case originated from a report received by Dubai Police, after which the file was referred to the Public Prosecution on December 18, 2024. The first hearing was held on January 9, 2024. Investigations revealed the establishment of a sophisticated money laundering network operating inside and outside the UAE through shell companies and suspicious financial transfers. Some defendants were tried in their presence, while others were convicted in absentia.

According to the judgment, the defendants formed an organised criminal group operating locally and internationally, in coordination with criminal networks in a European country. The group used Bitcoin and digital platforms to launder illicit proceeds generated from predicate offences, including drug trafficking and tax fraud.

The investigations further revealed that one female defendant owned properties and vehicles valued at Dh7.4 million, which were utilised in the criminal activity. The network transferred the equivalent of Dh180 million into the UAE through cryptocurrency wallets and digital platforms, later liquidating the assets through unofficial channels and converting them into cash.

The Criminal Court had initially convicted “Abu Sabah” of money laundering as part of an organised criminal gang, sentencing him to five years in prison, imposing a Dh500,000 fine, ordering the confiscation of Dh150 million, and ruling his deportation after serving the sentence.

The court also sentenced 11 defendants tried in absentia to five years’ imprisonment and fines of Dh500,000 each, while 10 others received one-year prison terms and fines of Dh200,000 each. Additionally, three companies were fined Dh5 million each, with the court ordering the confiscation of crime proceeds, as well as seized electronic devices and mobile phones.

The Public Prosecution had sought harsher penalties, including joint fines, revocation of company licences, publication of the judgment at the expense of the convicted, and the imposition of the maximum penalties prescribed by law.

Several defendants challenged the ruling, citing alleged procedural violations, including unlawful arrest and search, absence of a legal translator, coerced confessions, and claims that the case related to unauthorised cryptocurrency trading rather than money laundering.

After reviewing the appeals, the Court of Cassation ruled to partially quash the appellate judgment, cancelling the Dh150 million fine and substituting it with the confiscation of funds linked to the crime, while upholding all other penalties.

“Abu Sabah” is known as the owner of a property management company with branches in the UAE, the United States and India. He previously attracted public attention for his lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of a distinctive vehicle number plate bearing the number “5” for Dh33 million at a public auction in 2016.