Kozhikode, Kerala:
Cases under non-bailable sections of IPC have been registered against Salim Raj, an accused in the solar scam case and the former gunman of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, and six others for allegedly assaulting a man at nearby Karikamkulam.
Police said cases were booked against the accused for attempt to kidnap, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation.
Raj, who was suspended a few months back, was in the city in search of an 'absconding' woman, a relative of one of his friends.
The woman was supposedly in the city and apparently living with a man.
Raj and the other accused followed the said man's car and then allegedly intercepted the vehicle.
The accused and the said man thereafter got into an argument before the former assaulted him.
Tension prevailed after the locals recognised Raj and blocked his car, leading to police and MLA A Pradeep Kumar rushing to the spot to pacify the crowd.
Police said all seven accused were being questioned.
Raj claimed he had documents of a missing complaint filed to trace the woman in question, which had been registered with police in Kollam district.
Raj was suspended from service over his alleged role in the solar panel scam with media reports stating that he had been in contact with the accused, Saritha S Nair.