In a stunning verdict, a Swiss court has handed down jail sentences to four members of Britain’s richest family, the Hindujas, for exploiting Indian staffers at their Geneva mansion. Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal Hinduja, each received 4 years and 6 months, while their son, Ajay Hinduja, and his wife, Namita Hinduja, received four-year terms.
The Allegations
The indictment claimed that the family brought staff from India, confiscated their passports, and forced them to work long hours for low wages, sometimes as little as $8 a day. The lawsuit also alleged that there were no specific working hours mentioned in the contract.
The Defense
The Hinduja family denied the allegations, with their lawyers arguing that the workers were treated with respect and that the compensation included stay and food. The defense countered that the total compensation included food and lodging, and the long working hours claims were exaggerated.
The Verdict
The presiding judge in Geneva ruled that the family was guilty of exploiting their Indian staffers. The Geneva prosecutor had requested a custodial sentence of 5 and a half years against Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, aged 78 and 75 respectively, who were absent from the trial due to health reasons.
FAQs
Q: Who are the Hinduja family?
A: The Hinduja family is Britain’s richest family, with an estimated fortune of $47 billion.
Q: What were the allegations against the Hinduja family?
A: The allegations claimed that the family brought staff from India, confiscated their passports, and forced them to work long hours for low wages.
Q: What were the sentences handed down to the Hinduja family members?
A: Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal Hinduja, each received 4 years and 6 months, while their son, Ajay Hinduja, and his wife, Namita Hinduja, received four-year terms.
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