Mumbai: The only terrorist caught alive in the Mumbai attacks, Ajmal Kasab, on Monday confessed to his involvement, even asking the judge to stop the trial and punish him.
Giving minute details on just how he and nine other terrorists got into India and even named Lashkar-e-Toiba's top leaders as those he took instructions from.
Coming after the Egypt thaw between India and Pakistan and even as US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, met the Prime Minister, questions are being raised on the timing of Kasab's confession. But, it's one that could ensure speedy justice.
The dramatic confession left both the defence and the prosecution stunned. Ajmal Kasab told the special court he's guilty, simply saying, "Sir mujhe apna gunaah kabool hai (Sir I confess to my crime)", adding, "Ab mujhe saza di jaye (Please punish me)."
In his confession, Kasab named Lashkar's Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza as the Pakistani handlers for 26/11. But then he repeatedly named a "Saeed bhai", although he wasn't cross-questioned on this.
But if this Saeed Bhai turns out to be Hafiz Saeed, it would be a big blow for the Pakistani government, which has maintained they have no proof against the Lashkar chief's involvement in the Mumbai attacks.
In what could be a new twist, Kasab named Abu Zungal, whom he claims is an Indian and taught them Hindi.
When asked why confess now, Kasab said he decided after he learnt that he has been named in a chargesheet by Pakistan over the weekend.
"Police guards may have informed him or told that Pakistan has accepted Kasab as a Pakistani," said Defence lawyer Abbas Kazmi.
"I don't know what will happen in court tomorrow. Didn't speak after he confessed as court did not allow," he added.
"It is clearly linked to the FIA chargesheet filed in Pakistan," said Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
This sudden turnaround is another significant forward movement in the 26/11 case in the last week. It is almost as if the pieces of a jigsaw are falling into place.
First, last week, the Pakistani government announced that the trial of the five men they had arrested would soon start. Interior Minister Rehman Malik named LeT's Lakhvi as an accused. Then they handed over a dossier to India, naming Lakhvi in writing for the first time.
The dossier, sources say, had much to do with the thaw in the Egypt summit between the two Prime Ministers, and then over the weekend, Pakistan began the 26/11 trial by filing the chargesheet.
And then Kasab on Monday confessed in court, even as American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke on terrorism with the Indian Prime Minister.
The prosecution will now have its chance of cross examining Kasab, and the big question in its mind - Is Kasab deliberately portraying himself as having played a minor role in the attack for a lesser sentence?