Hindujas' appeal against the prison sentence issued by a Swiss court for worker exploitation

Lawyers for our clients report that they have been cleared of all allegations related to human trafficking.

Hindujas said on Friday that they were horrified by a Swiss court's decision to sentence some of its members to jail in Geneva and that they have filed an appeal with a higher court to overturn the decision. 

The Hindujas, the richest family in Britain, said on Friday that they were horrified by a Swiss court's decision to sentence several of its members to prison sentences in Geneva and that they had filed an appeal with a higher court to overturn the decision that found them guilty of abusing vulnerable domestic servants.

Lawyers from Switzerland emphasized in a statement released on behalf of the family that their clients, Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, who are both in their 70s, as well as their son Ajay and his wife Namrata, had been cleared of all accusations related to human trafficking. Additionally, they denied media reports suggesting that any family members were being held after Genevan court records revealed the four had received sentences ranging from four to four and a half years in jail.

All accusations against our clients related to human trafficking have been dropped. The statement, signed by attorneys Yael Hayat, Robert Assael, and Roman Jordan, states, "We are appalled and disturbed by the rest of the decision made in this court of first instance, and the attorneys have of course filed an appeal to the higher court in order to render this part of the judgement not effective."

The presumption of innocence is maintained under Swiss law until the highest adjudicating authority's final decision is put into effect. They added that, in contrast to some media claims, none of the family members are really detained.

The attorneys also emphasized that it is important to remember that the plaintiffs in this instance withdrew their individual complaints after telling the court that they had no intention of being part in these proceedings.

The family concludes that they are still certain that the truth will come to light and that they have complete trust in the legal system.

The declaration came after prosecutors began the investigation for suspected criminal activities, including human trafficking, exploitation, and violations of Switzerland's labor rules. The hearing took place in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Among other things, the family members were accused of taking the workers' passports, preventing them from leaving the property, and making them work very long hours for very little pay in Switzerland. According to reports, some employees were paid in rupees at banks they couldn't access back home and spoke only Hindi.

The family's legal team refuted the accusations, telling the court that the employees received courteous treatment and accommodations.

The UK-based Hinduja family, whose fortune is believed to be worth over GBP 37.196 billion, once again emerged as the nation's wealthiest family, according to The Sunday Times Rich List, which was published last month.