Kasab's confession victory for police, prosecution: Chavan

Chavan said the judicial process against Kasab be expedited and the court award him maximum punishment for his crimes following his confession.

The chief minister, while speaking to reporters, also lauded Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Mumbai Police and the Crime Branch for their efforts in meticulously investigating the terror attacks, finally resulting in Kasab's confession.

In a dramatic twist to the ongoing trial, Kasab suddenly confessed in the court to his involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks in this financial capital. He admitted he is a Pakistani national and also recounted in full detail how he and his nine associates - all killed by the police during the 60-hour long combined security operations - carried out the terror mayhem.

He also revealed before the stunned courtroom names of his Pakistani handlers, including Abu Hamza, Abu Jindal, Abu Kafa and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who saw them off when they boarded a ship at Karachi.

Last month, the Special Court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against 27 of the 35 accused in the 11,500-plus page charge sheet filed by Mumbai Police in the case.

It named several people, including Lakhvi - whom Kasab described as the "mastermind".