Supreme Court gives green light for Kerala to allot open prison land to BrahMos

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) gave the green light for the Kerala government to allot land occupied for an open prison complex to BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Limited (BATL), an arrangement which will see inmates share the neighbourhood with supersonic cruise missiles.

“The allotment of land for BATL, which comes under the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is intended for the expansion of BATL’s existing operations, specifically for the establishment of a second manufacturing unit dedicated to advanced missiles and strategic hardware. By providing the land, the State will contribute directly to national security and defence growth,” the State submitted, winning the Supreme Court’s permission.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, based on a positive report submitted by amicus curiae, senior advocate K. Parameshwar, agreed to the State’s proposal to divide 257 acres of the sprawling 457-acre campus of the Nettukaltheri open prison among the BATL, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and a National Forensic Science University.

BATL would be apportioned 180 acres, SSB 45 acres to set up a battalion headquarters and 32 acres for the forensic varsity.

The Nettukaltheri open prison was established in 1964 on leased land. The lease expired in May 2014. Out of the original 487 acres, 12 acres were earlier allocated to the Kerala Institute of Co-operative Management (KICMA) College in 2001 and 16 acres to the Dairy Development Department in 2022. There is also a proposal to allot one acre to the Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat for settling a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP).

Kerala had submitted that the open prison utilised less than 100 acres for its core purposes. The remaining land was used for generating additional income through plantations, etc. The establishment of the SSB battalion headquarters in Kerala would meet a long-pending request of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“This will give Kerala the permanent presence of a Central Armed Police Force, strengthen national security preparedness and provide employment and local development Opportunities,” the State government acknowledged.

A national forensic university, with specialised infrastructure like Cyber Defence Centres and Forensic Innovation Centers, was intended to provide extensive training to law enforcement and other sectors, besides offering top-tier placement opportunities for students.