Hinduja Family Members Sentenced for Exploiting Workers in Geneva Villa
On June 22, a Swiss court found members of the UK’s wealthiest family, the Hindujas, guilty of exploiting domestic workers at their luxury villa in Geneva. However, they were acquitted of human trafficking charges.
Sentences and Fines
Prakash and Kamal Hinduja were sentenced to four years and six months in prison, while Ajay and Namrata Hinduja received four-year sentences. The court also ordered them to pay around USD 950,000 in compensation and USD 300,000 in procedural fees.
Allegations and Trial
Prosecutors accused Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, their son Ajay, and daughter-in-law Namrata of confiscating employees’ passports and forcing them to work long hours without overtime pay. The workers, mostly from poor backgrounds in India, were paid as little as USD 120 a month and had to work from dawn until late at night.
Najib Ziazi, a business adviser for the family, was also found complicit in the exploitation. The Hinduja family’s lawyer, Romain Jordan, stated that the family was disappointed by the decision and had filed an appeal.
Family Background
The Hinduja family leads a multinational conglomerate with interests in real estate, automotive manufacturing, banking, oil and gas, and healthcare. The family owns several properties in London, including a 25-bedroom residence and a five-star Raffles Hotel.
Prosecutor’s Claims
Lead prosecutor Yves Bertossa argued that the family budgeted more for a pet than for a domestic worker’s salary. The indictment revealed that workers were paid below Geneva’s minimum wage and had their salaries deposited in Indian bank accounts they couldn’t easily access.
Appeal and Civil Case
The Hinduja family’s lawyer called the allegations exaggerated and biased. A civil case involving the main accusers was settled confidentially last week, with the plaintiffs withdrawing their complaints.
Family Disputes
The most senior Hinduja brother, Srichand P Hinduja, passed away in 2023 at the age of 87. Before his death, the family was involved in a prolonged battle over control of family assets.
