India-born US millionaire Varsha Sabhnani, who along with her husband, was convicted of enslaving and torturing two Indonesian women, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined $25,000.

Varsha, 46, was seen wiping out tears while talking to two of her four children and husband Mahender Sabhnani, who is due to be sentenced later. Mahender 51, was also seen crying as the judge pronounced the sentence.

Describing the verdict as 'harsh', the defence attorneys said they intend to appeal against the decision.

"I love my children very much, more than life itself," Varsha said, adding, "I feel I was brought to the earth to help people who are in need."

The couple, who had a flourishing perfume business, was convicted in December last year on 12 counts including modern day slavery, forced labour, involuntary servitude and harbouring illegal aliens.

Federal District Judge Arthur Spatt, who pronounced the sentence, however, postponed the decision on back wages that the couple owes to the two women.

Prosecutors claim the back wages amount to $1.1 million but defence gave a much lower figure of $214,000.

The Indonesian women, who were hired as household helps, testified in court that they were beaten with brooms and umbrellas, slashed and forced to take cold water showers for what Varsha perceived to be their 'mistakes'.

One of them testified that she was forced to eat dozens of peppers and also forced to eat her vomit.

The defense argued that the women had concocted the story and the bruises were result of witchcraft they practiced. The judge observed the testimony was 'eye opening that things like this go on in our country.'

The couple has a house in Long Island, a suburb of New York, worth about $2 million and could forfeit it.

Under federal guidelines, Varsha could have been sentenced to 12 to 15 years but the Judge did not explain why he decided on a shorter sentence.

The couple, who had started their business in a basement, made millions by manufacturing and distributing perfumes especially in the Middle East. Among their well known products are 'Eternal Love' and 'Attitude'.

While Varsha spent the time after conviction in prison, Mahender was released on bail until sentencing. The apparent reason was that she had been convicted of actually torturing the women while Mahender was accused of allowing her to do so.
 
The housemaids, identified as Samirah and Enung, are living with some Indonesians in New York and learning English to prepare themselves for living in the United States. They were not present when the sentence was pronounced.

The couple was busted when one of the women was found loitering near a fast food restaurant wearing only pants and towel in May last year and the employees called police. Later authorities searched the house and found the other woman.

The relatives of the domestic helps in Indonesia were paid $100 per month, but the women did not receive any cash themselves. One of the two had come to the Sabhnanis' house in 2002 and the other 2005.

They alleged that Sabhnanis had confiscated their passports and they could not talk to anyone as they did not know the language.

About 20 women held a demonstration outside the premises in support of Samirah and Enung just before the court was to convene.