Crime Branch, Mumbai banned the website of Cartoons Against Corruption during the hunger strike of Anna Hazare in December 2011.
Noting that the posters were created by Aseem Trivedi and “are believed to be made at the instance of Shri Anna Hazare,” the complaint requested “strict legal action in the matter.”[5] The domain provider, Big Rock, explained its decision to take down the website, which featured more than 50 anti-corruption cartoons, in a statement that read, "We have received a complaint from Crime Branch – Mumbai against domain name ‘cartoonsagainstcorruption.com’ for displaying objectionable pictures & texts related to flag and emblem of India.
[10] [11] Supporters of the artist's right to freedom of expressions continued to issue harsh critiques against Mumbai Police and the domain holder, Big Rock, for taking down the website without giving Trivedi any chance to defend himself or contest the ban.
In January 2012, a case of treason (section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code) was filed against him in Beed District Court, Maharashtra.
Additional charges were brought against him by the Mumbai High Court for insulting India's national symbols, under Indian Penal Code (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005.
If found guilty of publishing cartoons in violation of this penal code Trivedi can face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 rupees (approx.
Aseem Trivedi had originally refused to seek bail and wanted the charges dropped, but changed his mind after receiving assurances from authorities that they would be reviewed, Vijay Hiremath said.
Aseem Trivedi walked out of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail on 12 September 2012 after the local high court said there was no need for him to be held in prison.
In comments after his release, televised from outside the jailhouse, the satirist vowed to continue his campaign against the country's colonial-era law on sedition.