Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24: A judicial first class magistrate court will hear the private complaint filed by a VHP activist demanding arrest and prosecution of US missionary Joseph W Cooper for violation of visa rules. The complaint filed by VHP district secretary K Sugathan alleged that Cooper's speech at a religious gathering at Koppam near Kilimanur in the district had "hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus" and was also in violation of rules as the missionary was on a tourist visa. The Attingal judicial first class magistrate Murali Gopal Pandala posted the hearing for today.

Cooper, who was served with a deportation notice by police yesterday, has already left for Mumbai on his way home, police said. Bureau Report