Opposing the anticipatory bail application of social activist Teesta Setalvad, the Central Bureau of Investigation told a sessions court here, in a reply filed on Friday, that she was a threat to national security.

“The CBI has filed a ridiculous reply. They said they want to interrogate her and that she is a threat to national security,” Ms. Setalvad’s lawyer Vijay Hiremath told The Hindu.

The CBI had registered a case against Ms. Setalvad in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Ms. Setalvad subsequently approached the court for anticipatory bail.

On Friday, the court granted her protection from arrest till July 21, when it will pass an order on the bail application, Mr. Hiremath said.

Only July 8, the CBI had carried out searches at various premises linked to social activist Ms. Setalvad. The agency alleged that her firm Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt., Limited (SCPPL) received around Rs. 1.8 crore in foreign donations in violation of FCRA as SCPPL was not registered under the Act.