On September 1, Mombasa came to a standstill when residents spotted the body of billionaire Hasmukh Patel, the owner of Mombasa Cement.
In a rare and striking ceremony, Patel’s body was moved around the city, seated upright in a high chair adorned with neck decorations. This unusual procession took place before his cremation.
Patel's body had been at the Pandya Memorial Hospital morgue for three days. Instead of being placed in a coffin, it was positioned in a special vehicle, seated in a chair, and driven through a procession from Pandya to the New Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Hall in Nyali.
Along the way, the procession made five stops at Hindu temples. All of this took place over a span of three hours.
According to his family, the billionaire wanted to give those who had never seen him in life a final opportunity to view him.
The chair in which his body was placed had been his resting spot for over five years due to his health condition.
His assistant, Imtiaz Sayani, confirmed that this unusual display was part of Patel’s final wishes.
“He wanted people to see him because most didn’t know him. He was camera-shy and never boastful. Even his staff were not allowed to publicize their charity work,” Sayani explained.
After the public viewing, Patel’s body was taken to his Nyali home for an hour, where family and close friends paid their last respects.
It was then transported to the New Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Hall, where thousands gathered to honor him. His body remained seated in the center of the hall as leaders from various sectors paid tribute.
Patel, known affectionately as Hasuu, passed away on Thursday, August 29, after a brief illness at the age of 58.
According to family spokesperson Samir Bhalo, Patel had complained of stomach pain on Tuesday and was rushed to the hospital on Thursday, where he was pronounced dead in the emergency department.
He is survived by his widow and three children.
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