The Hinduja family was devastated last night after a Swiss court left some facing the prospect of jail in Geneva. They announced an immediate appeal to a higher court against the judgment that pronounced them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers.
In a statement representing the family, their solicitors condemned the authorities for having "needlessly drag[ged] the good names" of Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, both aged in their 70s, and their son Ajay and his wife Namrata through the mud over human trafficking allegations from which they have all been completely cleared. These media reports that read between the lines of immediate detention for family members were denied by the explanation of the statement that due to Swiss law, principle of presumption of innocence prevails until the final judgement by the highest judicial authority is delivered.
Attorneys Yael Hayat, Robert Assael, and Roman Jordan stressed trust in the legal process and believed the justice would ultimately prevail in this case; it became known that the plaintiffs dropped their complaint against the FB users considered to be offenders, issuing a statement specifying there was no intention to prosecute.
The legal battle ensued after claims of illegal practices, which bordered on exploitation and breach of labor laws here in Switzerland. Among the charges were those of withholding passports, Freedom of Movement, and making them work for long hours for very meager wages, usually paid in rupees into bank accounts in India, to which access was impossible. The family's legal defense team claim that their employees were treated with respect and had decent accommodation.
Despite all these legal challenges, the Hinduja family is still considered the richest in the UK due to 'The Sunday Times Rich List,' which estimated their wealth at about GBP 37.196 billion.
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