Four members of the Hinduja family, namely Kamal Hinduja, Prakash Hinduja, Ajay Hinduja, and his wife Namrata Hinduja, all Swiss nationals, have denied facing any imprisonment, conviction, sentence, or detention for alleged exploitation of their Indian employees, as claimed by a spokesperson for the group.
“The case no longer has any complainants, who themselves admitted in court that they were coerced into signing statements they did not comprehend. They neither intended nor initiated these proceedings. Additionally, all four Hinduja family members testified that they treated their employees with respect, dignity, and as part of their family,” the spokesperson stated.
The Hindujas were found guilty of labor violations in Switzerland, including paying wages below the local standard and breaching Swiss labor laws at their Geneva villa, despite being one of Britain’s wealthiest families.
Prakash Hinduja, chairman of Hinduja Group-Europe, and Kamal Hinduja were each sentenced to four and a half years by a lower court. Ajay and Namrata were handed four-year sentences. However, the most severe charge of human trafficking against them was dismissed.
“According to Swiss legal procedures, the lower court’s judgment remains ineffective as the presumption of innocence is upheld until a final decision by the highest court is reached,” the spokesperson emphasized.
The Hinduja family, which owns the Mumbai-based Hinduja Group, operates a diverse conglomerate spanning industries such as oil, automotive, specialty chemicals, banking, finance, IT, healthcare, infrastructure development, media, entertainment, power, and real estate.
Among other allegations, the Hindujas were accused of confiscating workers’ passports and compelling them to work extended hours for minimal wages.
