The wealthiest family in the UK, the Hindujas, are facing potentially four-year jail terms for exploiting their Indian employees at their Geneva villa. A Swiss judge convicted four family members of illegal employment practices, a verdict they have appealed in a higher court.
The court criticized the Hindujas as “selfish” following allegations from prosecutors that they subjected their staff, brought from India to work as domestic help at their mansion, to inhuman treatment.
Prakash Hinduja and his wife Kamal Hinduja were sentenced to four years and six months in jail, while their son Ajay and his wife Namrata received four-year terms each. The court acquitted them of the more serious charge of human trafficking.
The Hindujas, whose wealth is estimated at around $47 billion, oversee businesses spanning oil and gas, banking, and healthcare across 38 countries.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the Hindujas paid their staff only $8 (Rs 660) for working up to 18 hours a day, significantly below the Swiss legal wage requirement. They claimed the family also confiscated their employees’ passports and restricted their movements outside their villa in the affluent Cologny neighborhood.
Prosecutor Yves Bertossa highlighted that while the Hindujas spent approximately 8,584 Swiss francs (Rs 8 lakh) annually on their dog, some staff members earned just 7 Swiss francs (Rs 660) per day, working long hours, seven days a week.
The Hindujas denied these accusations, asserting that their employees were free to leave and received adequate benefits. The defence argued that the staff were grateful for the opportunities provided by the Hindujas, describing it as an improvement in their lives.
In response to the verdict, the family expressed dismay and announced their intention to challenge the decision in a higher court.
A statement signed by the lawyers of the Hindujas said, “We are appalled and disappointed by the rest of the decision made in this court of first instance, and we have of course filed an appeal to the higher court thereby making this part of the judgment not effective”.
The Hindujas had previously settled out of court with the three employees who had accused them, but the prosecution proceeded with the case due to the seriousness of the charges.
Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, both in their 70s, did not appear in court due to health reasons. Ajay and Namrata attended the trial sessions but were absent on Friday when the verdict was delivered.