Lawyers for the members of the Swiss-Indian family -- who were not present in court -- said they would appeal the verdict.
The defendants were acquitted of human trafficking, but convicted on other charges in a stunning verdict for the family, whose fortune is estimated at 37 billion pounds ($47 billion) by the Sunday Times.
Prakash Hinduja, 78, and his wife Kamal Hinduja, 75, each got four years and six months, while their son Ajay, 56, and his wife Namrata, 50, received four-year terms, the presiding judge in Geneva ruled.
They were convicted of "usury" for having taken advantage of their vulnerable immigrant staff to pay them a pittance.
"The employees' inexperience was exploited," judge Sabina Mascotto said in her judgement. "They had little education or none at all and had no knowledge of their rights.
"The defendants' motives were selfish," she said, adding that the Hindujas were motivated "by the desire for gain".
The court acquitted them of the more serious charge of human trafficking, on the grounds that the workers had travelled to Switzerland willingly.
- $360 salary -
During the trial the family were accused of bringing servants from their native India and confiscating their passports once they got to Switzerland.
Prosecutor Yves Bertossa accused the Hindujas of spending "more on their dog than on their domestic employees".
The family paid the household staff about 325 francs ($363) a month, up to 90 percent less than the going rate, the judge said.
"The four Hinduja defendants knew the weak position their employees were in and knew the law in Switzerland," Mascotto said.
The family denied the allegations, claiming the prosecutors wanted to "do in the Hindujas".
They had reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the three employees who made the accusations against them, leading them to drop their legal action, said the defence.
Despite this, the prosecution had decided to pursue the case due to the seriousness of the charges.
Following the verdict, Bertossa requested an immediate detention order for Ajay and Namrata Hinduja, claiming a flight risk.
The judged denied it, accepting the defence argument that the family had ties to Switzerland. It noted that Kamal Hinduja was hospitalised in Monaco and the three other family members were at her bedside.
Both the elder Hindujas had been absent since the start of the trial for health reasons.
A statement from the defence lawyers announcing the appeal said they were "appalled and disappointment" at the court's ruling.
But it added: "The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail."
- 'Not mistreated slaves' -
The defence had argued that the three employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation and were free to leave the villa.
"We are not dealing with mistreated slaves," Nicolas Jeandin told the court.
Indeed, the employees "were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life", his fellow lawyer Robert Assael argued.
Representing Ajay Hinduja, lawyer Yael Hayat had slammed the "excessive" indictment, arguing the trial should be a question of "justice, not social justice".
Namrata Hinduja's lawyer Romain Jordan had also pleaded for acquittal, claiming the prosecutors were aiming to make an example of the family.
He argued the prosecution had failed to mention extra payments made to staff on top of their cash salaries.
"No employee was cheated out of his or her salary," Assael added.
With interests in oil and gas, banking and healthcare, the Hinduja Group is present in 38 countries and employs around 200,000 people.
The defendants were acquitted of human trafficking, but convicted on other charges in a stunning verdict for the family, whose fortune is estimated at 37 billion pounds ($47 billion) by the Sunday Times.
Prakash Hinduja, 78, and his wife Kamal Hinduja, 75, each got four years and six months, while their son Ajay, 56, and his wife Namrata, 50, received four-year terms, the presiding judge in Geneva ruled.
They were convicted of "usury" for having taken advantage of their vulnerable immigrant staff to pay them a pittance.
"The employees' inexperience was exploited," judge Sabina Mascotto said in her judgement. "They had little education or none at all and had no knowledge of their rights.
"The defendants' motives were selfish," she said, adding that the Hindujas were motivated "by the desire for gain".
The court acquitted them of the more serious charge of human trafficking, on the grounds that the workers had travelled to Switzerland willingly.
- $360 salary -
During the trial the family were accused of bringing servants from their native India and confiscating their passports once they got to Switzerland.
Prosecutor Yves Bertossa accused the Hindujas of spending "more on their dog than on their domestic employees".
The family paid the household staff about 325 francs ($363) a month, up to 90 percent less than the going rate, the judge said.
"The four Hinduja defendants knew the weak position their employees were in and knew the law in Switzerland," Mascotto said.
The family denied the allegations, claiming the prosecutors wanted to "do in the Hindujas".
They had reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the three employees who made the accusations against them, leading them to drop their legal action, said the defence.
Despite this, the prosecution had decided to pursue the case due to the seriousness of the charges.
Following the verdict, Bertossa requested an immediate detention order for Ajay and Namrata Hinduja, claiming a flight risk.
The judged denied it, accepting the defence argument that the family had ties to Switzerland. It noted that Kamal Hinduja was hospitalised in Monaco and the three other family members were at her bedside.
Both the elder Hindujas had been absent since the start of the trial for health reasons.
A statement from the defence lawyers announcing the appeal said they were "appalled and disappointment" at the court's ruling.
But it added: "The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail."
- 'Not mistreated slaves' -
The defence had argued that the three employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation and were free to leave the villa.
"We are not dealing with mistreated slaves," Nicolas Jeandin told the court.
Indeed, the employees "were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life", his fellow lawyer Robert Assael argued.
Representing Ajay Hinduja, lawyer Yael Hayat had slammed the "excessive" indictment, arguing the trial should be a question of "justice, not social justice".
Namrata Hinduja's lawyer Romain Jordan had also pleaded for acquittal, claiming the prosecutors were aiming to make an example of the family.
He argued the prosecution had failed to mention extra payments made to staff on top of their cash salaries.
"No employee was cheated out of his or her salary," Assael added.
With interests in oil and gas, banking and healthcare, the Hinduja Group is present in 38 countries and employs around 200,000 people.
from yahoo.com
Nice one.
ReplyDeleteA country that serve the interest of all and not just selected few.
They will take their caste system mentality anywhere they go. No matter how educated and enlightened they become, they will never drop their caste system beliefs. One politician in this country even forbade the caregivers who were taking care of her sick and elderly mother from sitting on the couch, they could only sit on the floor, they had to work 22 hour days and do all sorts of housework outside of the caregiving they were hired for. They always say the ppl are lying but can never bring proof that they are good employers. These ones in this story probably consider access to oxygen and water part of the ample benefits the employees got🙄
ReplyDeleteGlad the court nailed them, the public embarrassment is also good. Hope they give the employees a good settlement.
12 hours*
DeleteThe greed in human's nature is,just too much. Very saddening. 😒😒😒
ReplyDeleteVery saddening 😔
DeleteVery very, I'm happy for those 3 employees, they are about to be made, heavy settlements coming their way.
DeleteI pray the Nigeria system work like this, you will see domestic staff collecting peanut as salary with over labour, even most of companies are not treating their staff well, some will still not pay the peanut salary on time.
ReplyDeleteIndians are even worse than Nigeria in exploitation. Very rich and hardworking people, and very talented. But look around in their country, you see wrecthedness of the highest order. If God had bless and elevated you and you now see others as sub humans you need to relax and check yourself.
ReplyDeleteWicked family.
ReplyDeleteNigeria when?🥱
ReplyDeleteWhen will Nigerian system work like this?
ReplyDeleteVery greedy people, good for them
Na waooo
ReplyDeleteWickedness.. chaiii
Hello iya boys
Why are people wicked like this
ReplyDeleteThis is bad nau
Greedy, selfish people, I hope they compensate the employees.
ReplyDeleteGreedy, selfish people, I hope they compensate the employees.
ReplyDeleteIndians are like that. They want the work done with little or no salary.
ReplyDeleteSuch a dirty and evil mindset
DeleteNot surprised they are indians, they and their Chinese and Lebanese counterpart are the same. Treat their staffs terribly.
ReplyDelete