"The domestic staff were exploited given the evident disproportion between what they were paid and should have been paid," Mascotto said, reading from the verdict. "They were exploited given their situation in India was so precarious and they were exploited as they didn't know the language, had their passports confiscated and were only ever paid every 3-6 months. The four Hindujas knew the vulnerabilities of the staff and knew what the rules were in Switzerland."
Lawyers for the Hindujas said "we are appalled and disappointed" by the decision and have filed an appeal. "The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail," the lawyers said in a statement.
The elder Hindujas - who failed to attend the trial, citing poor health - were both sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. Ajay and his wife, who were not present in the courtroom, were given 4 years. All four were acquitted of human trafficking.
The judgment marks another important victory for Yves Bertossa, Geneva's top prosecutor, who secured a conviction of mining tycoon Beny Steinmetz in 2021 on bribery charges and rogue Credit Suisse banker Patrice Lescaudron in 2018.
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