Indian Union Minister MJ Akbar on Sunday resigned from his position as Minister of State for External Affairs, following a surge of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Indian media reported that Akbar had sent his resignation via email to the Prime Minister’s office after he was caught up in the #MeToo scandal in the country, reports Gulf News. 

Earlier today, when he returned from his trip to West Africa, he was accosted by the media at the airport and said that he would issue a statement later in the day.

The government had been criticised by social media users for its silence on the increasing number of journalists accusing Akbar of sexual harassment.

This is the first high-profile resignation in India after the #MeToo movement picked up in the country. Many journalists have also been caught up in the scandal, along with film celebrities.