Bhopal, December 14: The Madhya Pradesh Police has launched a massive hunt for the country’s sole “Happiness Minister” Lal Singh Arya. He has disappeared after a court ordered his arrest in a murder case. Also Read - 'I Never Wear Mask, so What,' Says Madhya Pradesh Home Minister; Tempers Remarks After Drawing Fire | WATCH

Arya is an accused in the murder case of then Congress MLA from Gohad, Makhanlal Jatav, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on April 13, 2009, during the general elections. Sources said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan may insist on Arya resigning before then, NDTV reported. Also Read - Schools Reopening Tomorrow: Madhya Pradesh Board Issues SOP For Students, Teachers

Arya also handles five other ministries. Also Read - 39-Year-Old Man Arrested Under NSA for Selling 'Beef' in Madhya Pradesh's Indore

“Police teams are still looking for him. We are positive that we will track him down by then,” Prashant Khare, police superintendent in Bhind, said.

On December 5, Special Judge Yogesh Gupta had issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Arya, directing the police to execute it by December 19, the next date of hearing. But the minister has neither appear before the court, nor the police has been able to execute the warrant.

The development came a fortnight after the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court turned down Arya’s anticipatory bail plea.

On December 8, the court had offered to provide protection to a witness after he informed the court that the “men” of Arya were “threatening him with dire consequences if he deposed against (him)” in the murder case.

With inputs from PTI