A criminal court in Geneva is set to deliver a ruling on allegations of illegal human trafficking and mistreatment of servants by members of a billionaire family. The accused, four members of the Hinduja family, are facing charges related to seizing workers' passports, paying them in Indian rupees instead of Swiss francs, restricting their freedom to leave the villa, and subjecting them to long working hours for minimal compensation.
If convicted, Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, their son Ajay, and his wife Namrata could face prison sentences ranging from 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 years. The family's business adviser, Najib Ziazi, is also implicated in the case.
Geneva prosecutors initiated the legal proceedings following allegations of exploitation, human trafficking, and violations of Swiss labor laws. The Hinduja family, with origins in India, had previously settled with the plaintiffs in a separate agreement.
Swiss authorities have taken preemptive measures by seizing assets such as diamonds, rubies, and jewelry from the family to cover potential legal fees and penalties. Prakash Hinduja, who acquired Swiss citizenship in 2000, is also facing a separate tax case.
Prosecutors revealed that the employees, predominantly from India and working as cooks or house help, were coerced into working excessively long hours, sometimes up to 18 hours a day, with minimal time off. They were reportedly paid wages in Indian rupees, which they could not access due to banking restrictions.
The staff allegedly endured substandard living conditions, including sleeping in the villa's basement on mattresses on the floor. Prosecutors described a 'climate of fear' perpetuated by Kamal Hinduja, creating a hostile work environment for the employees.
The Hinduja family, prominent figures in various industries such as information technology, media, and real estate, have an estimated net worth of around $20 billion according to Forbes magazine. Prakash Hinduja had previously faced convictions in 2007 for similar offenses, indicating a pattern of disregarding labor laws.
