The incident occurred in the heart of the city at around 11.30 PM last night when R Lenin, news editor of 'Kerala Kaumudhi' was on his way home after night shift.
The autorikshaw driver demanded Rs 40 for a short trip from M G Road to KSRTC Bus stop, leading to a heated exchange of words.
Lenin got down halfway through and said he would file a complaint with police. This angered the autorickshaw driver who then used an iron rod to attack the scribe and injured him, police said.