Thiruvananthapuram: A Haryana native, who was recently accused of theft at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, has claimed that the bronze vessel in question was given to him by a staff at the temple.

He said he was not prohibited from taking the vessel outside the temple. "I would have returned it if someone had objected," he added.

Three women, also from Haryana, are among the accused. The group was arrested in Haryana on Sunday. They went to Udupi after visiting the temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

The alleged theft came to light after the temple authorities reviewed CCTV footage and alerted the police. The four accused will be brought to Kerala. The police also plan to record statements from temple staff.