A 21-year-old cricket umpire, Dola Ajith Babu, has died after being stabbed during a disturbance that began with a run-out call in a local match in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday night. The incident unfolded after players clashed over the decision, and what started as an on-field argument quickly spiralled into violence after the game.
Quick facts
- Victim: Dola Ajith Babu, 21, an umpire
- Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Incident timing: Sunday night
- Another umpire present: Budumuri Chiranjeevi
- Police-identified accused: Kanta Kishore, 26 (a spectator)
- Sequence: dispute over a run-out decision → escalation after the match → stabbing
- Injuries: Ajith Babu stabbed in the chest; Chiranjeevi and another intervening man also hurt
- Hospital timeline: taken first to VIMS, then Apollo; death declared around 8:15 PM
- Case filed: murder case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Current status: Kishore absconding; search underway
Babu was on duty alongside Budumuri Chiranjeevi when the players became involved in a heated exchange over the run-out call. Police said the officials initially managed to calm the situation on the field, but the tension resurfaced once the match ended.
Circle Inspector Malleswara Rao said the confrontation did not stop with the on-field disagreement. He stated that Ajith Babu and Chiranjeevi stepped in to settle the issue during the game, but the matter grew worse later after a spectator entered the scene.
Rao added that Kanta Kishore, identified as the accused, allegedly began abusing the umpires and players. Police said Kishore was not part of the group of players contesting the run-out decision, and authorities described him as a spectator at the match.
“Settle the matter” turns violent
After the match, Kishore allegedly called the umpires to another spot claiming they should “settle the matter.” When Ajith Babu, Chiranjeevi, and others reached there, another argument broke out, and the situation escalated rapidly.
Rao said that as soon as the group arrived, Kishore suddenly pulled out a knife and attacked the two umpires. Ajith Babu was reportedly stabbed in the chest and collapsed immediately, while Chiranjeevi and another man who tried to intervene were also injured.
The victim’s family alleged that Kishore had earlier abused people present at the venue and later returned intoxicated before carrying out the assault. Ajith Babu’s brother described the moments leading up to the stabbing, saying Kishore started shouting and arguing, then produced a knife from his pocket and stabbed Dola Ajith Babu in the chest.
He also said those at the scene attempted to apprehend Kishore, but the accused managed to flee. The family claimed they took Ajith Babu to VIMS Hospital first, but because doctors were unavailable, they shifted him to Apollo.
According to the account given by the family, doctors pronounced Ajith Babu dead around 8:15 PM. He was first taken to VIMS Hospital and then moved to Apollo Hospital, where he was declared dead even after emergency care.
Police registered a murder case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a complaint was filed by Ajith Babu’s father, Dola Appala Raju. Kishore is still absconding, and the police have begun a search to trace him.
The killing has triggered renewed concern about safety arrangements at local cricket events in Andhra Pradesh, where crowds can be large. Authorities have urged tournament organisers to improve security measures and ensure proper medical facilities are available at venues to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
