Five police personnel, including an Inspector, were today booked for allegedly instigating a government bus driver, affiliated to the AIADMK union, to attempt suicide in protest against alleged misbehaviour of police with his wife and use of force against him.
Police had gone to the house of driver Gopal to investigate about a clash between two groups belonging to Kamankottai and Mennandhi villages over an eve teasing incident.
They had allegedly pulled Gopal's wife, besides forcibly taking him to the police station for questioning.
Subsequently, cases were registered against seven persons and police were looking for one Parathasarathy related to Gopal, police said.
Upset by the behaviour of the Inspector of Chatirakudi Police Station, Gopal went to the station yesterday and allegedly set himself ablaze.
Locals doused the fire and rushed him to the government hospital at Ramanathapuram where his condition is critical.
Following a complaint by Gopal's brother Jayraj, cases were registered against Inspector Raja, and police personnel Rajivgandhi, Satheesh, Rajesh Kanna and Krishnavelu for instigating Gopal to attempt suicide, police said.
The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram district, Manivannan today ordered registration of cases against them.
Manivannan said further action against the personnel would be taken after receiving the departmental inquiry report.
Meanwhile, police said Raja had gone to Gopal's house though he had been "relieved" from Chatirakudi police station.
