By IANS,
Mumbai : A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will now investigate the case of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi and review the sedition charges against him, a senior police official said Thursday.
“Considering the importance of the case, it has now been transferred to a SIT. This will be headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police G.T. Padwal,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Namdev Chavan told IANS.
The case, that was probed by the Bandra Kurla Police station in suburban Mumbai, will now be handed over to a special team.
The SIT will review the sedition charge against Trivedi and submit a report to the Maharashtra government. Based on the report, the government might order the withdrawal of the sedition charge, if required.
Trivedi, an activist of India Against Corruption (IAC) and a Kanpur-based cartoonist, was charged with sedition for drawing cartoons insulting Indian emblems, including the Constitution during Anna Hazare’ anti-corruption movement here in December last year.
He was arrested last Saturday and sent to police custody for seven days. Following nationwide outrage, Mumbai Police Monday cut short his questioning and produced him before a court which sent him to judicial custody till Sep 24.
The Bombay High Court Tuesday granted bail to Trivedi in a public interest litigation case filed by lawyer Sanskar Marathe. He was released Wednesday.