Hinduja Family Faces Jail Sentences in Swiss Court Over Human Trafficking and Staff Mistreatment

The Hinduja family, Britain's wealthiest, is facing trial in Switzerland for alleged human trafficking and mistreatment of domestic staff at their Lake Geneva villa. Prosecutors claim the family paid one Indian domestic worker as little as 7 Swiss francs ($7.84) for 18-hour workdays while spending 8,584 francs annually on their pet dog. The staff allegedly had their passports confiscated and were restricted from leaving the residence. The prosecution is seeking lengthy prison sentences and financial penalties totaling 4.5 million francs. The Hinduja family's lawyers deny the allegations, asserting that the staff were treated with respect and provided with board and lodging. They argue that the prosecution has exaggerated the working hours and misrepresented the pay.