In a shocking case, the billionaire Hinduja family faces justice for their mistreatment of domestic workers at their picturesque lakeside villa. Here’s the gripping account of their actions and the legal repercussions:
1. A Climate of Fear
The Hinduja family stands accused of egregious exploitation. Their workers endured passport confiscation, confinement, and grueling 18-hour workdays. The basement served as their makeshift quarters, with mattresses on the floor.
2. Serious Charges Dismissed
While the court found the family guilty, it dismissed human trafficking charges against the elderly tycoon Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, son Ajay, and daughter-in-law Namrata. The rationale? The workers allegedly understood the situation, albeit partially.
3. Currency Disparities
Mostly illiterate Indian workers toiled for the Hinduja family, receiving payment not in Swiss francs but in Indian rupees—deposited in inaccessible banks back home.
4. Legal Battles and Health Woes
Lawyers representing the defendants plan to appeal. Meanwhile, Kamal Hinduja’s lawyer, Robert Assael, expressed relief over the dropped trafficking charges. The family’s health issues kept them away from court, with Kamal’s 75-year-old wife in intensive care.
5. Hidden Settlements and Seized Assets
Last week, the family reached an undisclosed settlement with plaintiffs. Swiss authorities seized diamonds, rubies, and a platinum necklace, anticipating their use to cover legal fees and penalties. Prakash Hinduja, a conglomerate leader, faces additional tax charges, while the family’s net worth hovers around 18.6 billion euros .
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Independent
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