Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi expected to be out of jail today

Aseem earlier refused to apply for bail till sedition charges were dropped against him. However, a bail was granted on Tuesday with a personal bond of Rs 5,000. Later, the cartoonist said, "I respect judiciary, will execute the bail bond tomorrow."

While the court is to decide on removal of the sedition charge by September 17, CNN-IBN has learnt that the Maharashtra government may most likely drop the charges against him, though sources say that Aseem will still face charges of insulting the national emblem.

Aseem Trivedi had made it clear on Monday that he would not seek bail till the sedition charge was dropped. The petition for Aseem's bail was moved by a lawyer called Sanskar Marathe, who claimed to be a member of India Against Corruption. Marathe filed a petition on the High Court demanding immediate release of the cartoonist saying that his detention was illegal.

The prosecution opposed Marathe's petition, saying the argument is based on media reports, the petitioner asked for interim relief. The Judge then passed an order to release Aseem Trivedi on a personal bond of Rs 5,000.

The court said that it would order the release of Aseem Trivedi on bail if Mumbai Police failed to convey sufficient ground for his custody.

Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal also met Aseem at the Arthur Road jail on Tuesday and threatened to protest outside the jail if the sedition charge against Aseem wasn't dropped.

Mumbai Police did a flip flop on Aseem on Monday, giving up his custody in court. However, Aseem was sent to jail till September 24 as he refused to apply for bail till sedition charges were dropped against him.

"I am not seeking bail because I am proud of whatever I did, and this I will do it repeatedly. I am not a criminal that I should deposit money and seek bail, but till the time the charges of sedition are not dropped against me, I will continue to be in jail", said a statement in Hindi purported to be written by Trivedi in jail.

The statement was circulated outside the Court by volunteers of India Against Corruption(IAC), which organised Anna Hazare's rally last year.

The Kanpur-based artist has been accused of putting up banners mocking the Constitution during a rally of anti- corruption crusader Anna Hazare in Mumbai late last year and posting the same on his website.

Trivedi was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by a member of Republican Party of India, Amit Katarnayea.

As the arrest sparked condemnation by some political parties and activists, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said though the Constitution ensures freedom of expression it also lays down that every citizen must respect the national symbols.