In a shocking turn of events, four members of the Hindujas family, one of the wealthiest in the UK with an estimated net worth of 37 billion pounds ($47 billion), have been found guilty and sentenced to jail terms for exploiting Indian staff at their Geneva villa in Switzerland.
Prakash Hinduja and his wife Kamal received a sentence of four years and six months each, while their son Ajay and his wife Namrata were given four-year terms as well. The Hindujas were acquitted of human trafficking but convicted on other charges related to the exploitation.
Prosecutors claimed that the family paid their staff very low wages, confiscated their passports upon arrival in Switzerland, and forced them to work long hours without overtime pay. The employees were reportedly paid between 220 and 400 Swiss francs ($195-$350) a month, significantly less than the going rate in Switzerland.
The Hindujas denied all allegations, arguing that their staff received ample benefits and were free to leave the villa. However, the court found that they had taken advantage of their vulnerable immigrant workers and exploited them for financial gain.
This is a significant blow to the reputation of one of Britain's most influential families. The Hindujas are known for their extensive business interests in various sectors including oil and gas, banking, healthcare, and real estate. Their multinational conglomerate employs about 200,000 people worldwide.
The case highlights the importance of fair labor practices and the need to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation. It also serves as a reminder that wealth and power do not exempt individuals from accountability under the law.