Delhi court to try U.S. terrorist, 8 others in 2008 Mumbai attacks

NEW DELHI -- A New Delhi court agreed Saturday to try admitted American terrorist David Headley and eight others for allegedly carrying out the deadly 2008 attacks in Mumbai, local media reported.

The court's decision allows Indian investigators to seek Headley's extradition from the United States, where he is in prison after admitting to laying the groundwork for the three-day shooting rampage in India's largest city. However, his plea agreement with U.S. authorities said Headley would not be extradited if he cooperated with investigators.

Headley last year was a U.S. government witness in the trial against Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana, who was convicted of supporting the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group and plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper but acquitted of charges involving the Mumbai attack.

Indian investigators have accused Headley, Rana and the others, including two alleged members of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence, of plotting attacks in India that included the Mumbai siege that killed 168.

"The prosecution is still in the process of collecting more evidence," District Judge H.S. Sharma said, according to the Press Trust of India.

Sharma ordered the nine to appear in court March 13 and issued warrants for five suspects not already in custody.