Indian businessman pays $9m for Dubai number plate

Balwinder Sahani spent AED 33 million on the "D5" number plate, in an auction organised by the road authority

DUBAI: An Indian businessman has paid $9 million at auction to grab a single-digit car registration plate in Dubai, feeding a passion for "unique" number plates.

Balwinder Sahani, who owns a Dubai-based property management company, spent AED 33 million on the "D5" number plate, in an auction organised by the road authority, Gulf News daily reported Sunday.



"I have collected 10 number plates so far and I am looking forward to having more. It's a passion. This number will go to one of my Rolls-Royces," he said.

60 करोड़ में इस भारतीय शख्स ने खरीदा गाड़ी का मनपसंद नंबर #BalwinderSahani #BuysPlate #D5number https://t.co/BPJmxS8QAS pic.twitter.com/1KTT9X0as8

— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 9, 2016

The daily said more than 300 bidders participated Saturday in the auction which is organised every two months. Eighty special numbers were on offer.

Auctions for "unique" car plates have become a fashion in the glitzy United Arab Emirates with auction organisers frequently netting millions of dollars.