American missionary Joseph W Cooper, 67, who was attacked by suspected Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh men at Koppam, Kerala, on January 13, has been asked to leave the country.

"We have served orders to Cooper to leave the country within seven days for preaching while on tourist visa and thereby violating visa rules," District Superintendent of Police (Rural) T K Vinodkumar said.

A special branch probe had found that Cooper had violated a 1995 Central order restricting foreigners visiting India on tourist visas from preaching, Vinodkumar said.

Cooper, an ordained bishop of the New Jerusalem church from Pennsylvania, is recuperating in a hospital.