UK’s richest family convicted of exploiting servants
Four members of the UK’s wealthiest family have been sentenced to prison for exploiting workers brought from India to their villa in Geneva.
Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, along with their son Ajay and his wife Namrata, were found guilty of exploitation and illegal employment by a Swiss court, receiving sentences between four and four-and-a-half years.
They were acquitted of the more serious charge of human trafficking.
The defendants’ lawyers have stated their intention to appeal the ruling.
Robert Assael, the defendants’ lawyer, expressed his shock outside the court, saying, “I’m shocked. We’re going to fight it to the bitter end.”
Three workers from India claimed the family paid them as little as £7 ($8) for 18-hour workdays, which is less than a tenth of the amount required under Swiss law, and confiscated their passports.
They also alleged that the family, with an estimated fortune of around £37bn, rarely allowed them to leave the Geneva villa in the affluent Cologny neighborhood.
Prosecutors claimed during the trial that the family spent more on their dog than on their servants.
The defense argued that the employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation, and were free to leave the villa.
Mr. Assael contended that the employees “were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life.”
The elder Hindujas, both over 70, did not attend the court proceedings, citing ill health. Ajay and Namrata attended court but were not present for the verdict.
This case is not the first instance of Geneva, known for its international organizations and wealthy residents, being scrutinized for the alleged mistreatment of servants.
Last year, four domestic workers from the Philippines launched a case against one of Geneva’s diplomatic missions to the United Nations, claiming they had not been paid for years.
The Hinduja family own Hinduja Group, a multinational group with interests in oil, gas, and banking.
The family also own Raffles hotel in London.
