Salem Armed Reserve Police Inspector Sorimuthu (55) suffered injuries in the face and head when he was attacked by Ravichandran last night after the former reprimanded a milk-vendor whose two-wheeler dashed against the jeep in which he was travelling, police said.
The vendor had fallen down and when the Inspector scolded him, Ravichandran, who was among the crowd which had gathered, attacked him, police said.
The inspector was admitted to hospital where his condition was stated to be out of danger.
Ravichandran was arrested under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder), police added.