UK's richest family convicted of exploiting servants

Ajay Hinduja and his wife Namrata, accompanied by their lawyer Robert Assael, were seen arriving at court. Four members of the UK's wealthiest family have been sentenced to prison for exploiting workers they brought from India to work at their villa in Geneva. Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, along with their son Ajay and his wife Namrata, were found guilty of exploitation and illegal employment by a Swiss court. They received sentences ranging from four to four-and-a-half years. However, they were acquitted of the more serious charge of human trafficking. The family's lawyers have stated their intention to appeal the decision. Speaking outside the court, Robert Assael, the lawyer for the family, expressed his shock and vowed to fight the ruling to the end. Three workers from India alleged that the family paid them as little as £7 ($8) to work 18-hour days, which is significantly less than the amount required under Swiss law. They also claimed that the family confiscated their passports and rarely allowed them to leave the house, which is located in Geneva's affluent Cologny neighborhood. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the family spent more money on their dog than on their workers. The defense countered by stating that the employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation, and were free to leave the villa. Mr. Assael argued that the employees were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life. The elder Hindujas, both over 70, did not attend court proceedings, citing ill health. Ajay and Namrata attended court but were not present to hear the verdict. Following the verdict, the prosecution requested an immediate detention order for Ajay and Namrata, but this was denied by the judge. The defense stated that Kamal Hinduja is currently in a hospital in Monaco, and the other three family members are at his bedside. This is not the first time that Geneva, a hub for international organizations and the world's wealthy, has been in the spotlight for the alleged mistreatment of workers. Last year, four domestic workers from the Philippines launched a case against one of Geneva's diplomatic missions to the United Nations, claiming they had not been paid for years. The Hinduja family owns the Hinduja Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests in oil, gas, and banking. They also own the Raffles hotel in London.