Indian police have launched a manhunt for the country’s only “happiness minister” after the state politician vanished when a court ordered his arrest over an alleged murder.
Lal Singh Arya, whose mandate is to put a smile on the faces of his 70 million constituents, is wanted in connection with the death of an opposition politician in 2009.
Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to create a happiness ministry with the appointment of Arya in January. But the 53-year-old from the ruling Bharatiya Janata party disappeared after a court in Bhind district issued a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.
Police told AFP they were hopeful of finding Arya before he is scheduled to appear in court on 19 December.