Swiss Court Sentences Members of Britain’s Wealthiest Family, the Hindujas, for Exploiting Indian Workers

In a landmark ruling on Friday, a Swiss court sentenced four members of the UK’s wealthiest family, the Hindujas, for mistreating their Indian staff at their Geneva mansion. The family, whose net worth is estimated at US$47 billion or £37 billion, faced a surprising verdict that found them guilty on several charges, although they were acquitted of human trafficking.

The convicted members include Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal, who received four years and six months each, and their son, Ajay, along with his wife, Namrata, who were sentenced to four years each. The Hinduja family members were not present in court during the sentencing.

The case revolved around the family’s practice of bringing domestic workers from India to Switzerland and then allegedly seizing their passports upon arrival. Prosecutors accused the Hindujas of paying these workers meager wages and severely restricting their freedom.

The prosecution argued that the workers were paid between 220 and 400 Swiss francs (US$250-US$450) per month, a sum significantly lower than the Swiss standard. Geneva prosecutor Yves Bertossa claimed the Hindujas exploited the “asymmetrical situation” between wealthy employers and vulnerable employees to save money. “They’re profiting from the misery of the world,” Bertossa asserted in court.

Despite settling out of court with the three employees who brought the accusations, the prosecution pursued the case due to its serious nature. The court ultimately found the evidence against the Hindujas compelling enough to warrant custodial sentences.

Defense lawyers for the Hindujas contended that the employees were well-treated, not isolated, and free to leave the villa. Nicolas Jeandin, representing the family, argued, “We are not dealing with mistreated slaves.” Robert Assael, another defense lawyer, emphasized that the employees were “grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life.”

Yael Hayat, defending Ajay Hinduja, criticized the indictment as “excessive,” suggesting the trial should focus on justice rather than social justice. Romain Jordan, representing Namrata Hinduja, claimed the prosecution aimed to make an example of the family, arguing they had overlooked additional payments made to the staff.

“No employee was cheated out of his or her salary,” Assael insisted, adding that some workers had even requested and received raises.

The Hinduja Group, a global conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, banking, and healthcare, operates in 38 countries and employs around 200,000 people. The verdict marks a significant chapter in the family’s storied history, highlighting issues of labor exploitation and the responsibilities of wealthy employers in treating their staff fairly.