Prakash Hinduja, Three Family Members Sentenced to 4.5 Years by Swiss Court

A Swiss court on Friday sentenced Indian-born business tycoon Prakash Hinduja and three family members to four and a years in prison. They were found guilty of exploiting their domestic workers. Severe charges of human trafficking were dismissed, according to an AP report.

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Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, son Ajay, and daughter-in-law Namrata faced accusations of trafficking their servants. These workers, mostly illiterate Indians, were employed at their lakeside villa in Geneva.

Details of the Accusations

The court found the Hindujas guilty of exploiting their workers and providing unauthorised employment. The family was accused of seizing their staff's passports, paying them in rupees instead of Swiss Francs, preventing them from leaving the villa, and forcing them to work long hours.

Najib Ziazi, the family's business manager, received an 18-month suspended sentence. The workers claimed they were forced to work up to 18 hours a day with little or no vacation time. Their pay was less than one-tenth of what is required under Swiss law.

Seized Assets

Swiss authorities have already seized diamonds, rubies, a platinum necklace, and other jewellery from the Hindujas. These assets are anticipated to be used for legal fees and possible penalties.

The employees alleged they had to work late for receptions and sleep in the basement of the villa. They described a 'climate of fear' under Kamal Hinduja. The workers spoke only Hindi and were paid in Indian currency deposited in banks back home that they couldn't access.