Britain's wealthiest family, the Hindujas, expressed deep dismay over a recent ruling by a Swiss court that imposed jail terms on certain family members. They have promptly lodged an appeal in a higher court to contest the verdict, which found them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers from India employed at their residence in Geneva.
In a statement released on Saturday, a spokesperson representing the affected family members—Kamal and Prakash Hinduja, along with their son Ajay and daughter-in-law Namrata, all Swiss nationals—clarified that none of them have faced any "imprisonment, conviction, sentence, or detention" under Swiss legal procedures. Emphasizing the fundamental presumption of innocence until a final judgment by the highest adjudicating authority is reached, the spokesperson underscored that the lower court's decision remains ineffective and non-binding.
The spokesperson further highlighted that the case no longer has any complainants, who had reportedly retracted their statements, claiming they were coerced into signing documents they did not fully comprehend. These individuals purportedly testified in court that the Hinduja family members treated them with utmost respect and dignity and as part of their family.
Earlier, a statement issued on behalf of the family by their legal representatives in Switzerland confirmed that they were acquitted of all charges related to human trafficking. However, they expressed dismay over the remaining aspects of the lower court's decision and promptly filed an appeal in the higher court to challenge these elements of the judgment.
"Our clients have been acquitted of all human trafficking charges. We are appalled and disappointed by the rest of the decision made in this court of first instance, and we have, of course, filed an appeal to the higher court, thereby making this part of the judgment not effective," stated the legal representatives, Yael Hayat, Robert Assael, and Roman Jordan.
They reiterated the significance of the presumption of innocence under Swiss law until a final decision is rendered by the highest judicial authority. Contrary to certain media reports, they clarified that no family members are currently under effective detention.
Moreover, the legal team underscored that the plaintiffs in the case had withdrawn their complaints and affirmed that they had no intention of pursuing legal action. The family remains steadfast in their confidence in the judicial process, believing that justice will ultimately prevail.
The developments follow a legal hearing in Geneva where prosecutors had alleged various illegal activities, including exploitation and violation of labor laws. The accusations involved claims that the workers were subjected to long hours for minimal pay, with restrictions on their movement and access to their wages.
The Hinduja family, as per The Sunday Times Rich List, continues to be recognized as the wealthiest in the UK, with an estimated wealth of approximately GBP 37.196 billion. Their conglomerate spans diverse sectors across 48 countries, including automotive, oil, finance, IT, healthcare, media, power, and real estate, under the leadership of chairman G P Hinduja.
