If he had stayed longer, he would’ve been picked up. The vhp had filed a petition before the Attingal magistrate to prosecute Cooper for visa violations and for "denigrating the Hindu religion". Under the Foreigners Act, he may have been liable for imprisonment up to 5 years.
The official mood was clearly unsympathetic and CM A.K. Antony said the missionary was in the breach. But, says Indian Pentecostal Church secretary K.C. John: "Would the police deal similarly with tourists who come here and preach Hinduism, on the same visa regulations?"
