Four members of the UK’s richest family have received prison sentences for exploiting staff brought over from India to work at their Geneva villa.
Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, as well as their son Ajay and his wife Namrata, were found guilty of exploitation and illegal employment by a Swiss court and handed sentences ranging from four to four-and-a-half years.
Three workers who were brought over from their native India alleged the family paid them as little as £7 ($8) to work 18-hour days, less than a tenth of the amount required under Swiss law, and confiscated their passports.
They also claimed the family – whose fortune is estimated at around £37bn – rarely allowed them to leave the house, which is in Geneva’s wealthy neighbourhood of Cologny.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged the family spent more on their dog than on their servants.
The defence argued that the employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation and were free to leave the villa.
The employees “were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life”, Mr Assael argued.
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