Hinduja Group is a prominent Indian conglomerate with a presence across eleven sectors, including automotive, oil and chemicals, banking, IT and ITeS, cybersecurity, healthcare, infrastructure development, media, power, and real estate. As of 2022, the net worth of the Hinduja brothers was estimated at $32 billion, positioning them as the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom. In October 2024, their fortune was estimated at $22 billion, ranking them 11th on Forbes’ list of India’s 100 richest tycoons.
Origins and History: Founded in 1914 by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, who hailed from a Sindhi family based in India, the group initially operated in Shikarpur (now in Pakistan) and Bombay (now Mumbai). The first international branch of the company was established in Iran in 1919. The group’s headquarters remained in Iran until 1979, when the Islamic Revolution forced them to relocate to Europe.
The Hinduja brothers—Srichand, Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok—helped expand the business into a global conglomerate. In 1979, Srichand and Gopichand moved to London to develop the export business, while Prakash managed operations in Geneva and Ashok focused on the Indian market. The group now employs over 200,000 people across various global offices, including in India.
In 2017, Srichand and Gopichand were recognized as the wealthiest men in Britain, with an estimated net worth of £16.2 billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. At The Asian Awards 2015, the Hinduja brothers were awarded the Business Leader of the Year Award, and Ashok Hinduja received the ABLF Global Asian Award in 2017.
Hinduja Group Companies: The Hinduja Group has a vast array of companies across various industries, including:
- Ashok Leyland (automotive)
- Hinduja National Hospital (healthcare)
- IndusInd Bank (banking)
- Hinduja Global Solutions (IT services)
- Gulf Oil (oil and lubricants)
- Hinduja Leyland Finance (financial services)
- Hinduja National Power Corporation (energy)
- Hinduja Realty Ventures (real estate)
- Hinduja Bank (Switzerland)
- KPB Hinduja College of Commerce (education)
Controversies: The Hinduja family has been involved in several high-profile controversies over the years, including the Bofors Scandal. In the 1980s, the Swedish company Bofors was alleged to have bribed Indian officials and politicians during the sale of artillery to the Indian government. The Hinduja brothers were investigated by the Indian CBI in the case, but all charges against them were dropped in 2005 due to a lack of evidence.
In 2001, a scandal involving the Hinduja brothers and the British government surfaced. It was revealed that UK government officials had been in contact with the Home Office on behalf of the Hinduja brothers, who were seeking British citizenship. The matter led to the resignation of UK government minister Peter Mandelson and further scrutiny of the Hinduja family’s influence on British politics. However, investigations cleared them of any wrongdoing.
In 2005, Ashok Leyland, a leading company in the Hinduja Group, faced allegations related to arms exports. The company had agreed to supply military vehicles to Sudan, which was said to contravene UK arms export regulations, given the nationality of some of the company’s directors.
In 2024, the Hinduja family was involved in a human trafficking trial in Switzerland. Four family members were accused of exploiting household workers at their villa in Geneva, allegedly paying them as little as $8 for 15-18 hour workdays and confiscating their passports. While the court dismissed human trafficking charges, it convicted the family of exploiting their staff and sentenced four members of the family to four and a half years of imprisonment.
Despite these controversies, the Hinduja family continues to be a significant business and philanthropic force, maintaining its position as one of the wealthiest and most influential families globally.