CHENNAI, 17 JULY, 2011: A former police officer who sought a court order to probe the wealth of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, where antique treasure trove worth US$20 billion (RM60 billion) were unearthed, died today.

Septuagenarian T. P. Sundararajan contracted fever for several days before suffering a fatal stroke this morning, reported Kerala newspapers.

Early this month, the 70-year-old filed a court order, demanding an inventory after alleging mismanagement in the 16th century temple located in Thiruvananthapuram.

His death comes at a time when there is a fiery debate that opening vaults in the ancient temple  -- dedicated to Lord Vishnu and managed by the erstwhile Travancore royal family -- could lead to calamity.

"There is some truth to his (Sundararajan's) death. It is a very powerful deity, we simply can't open without any (religious) ritual being performed. (Moreover) He had also been sick," an official, familiar with the temple's management, and insisting anonymity, told Bernama today.

On Thursday, the Press Trust of India reported the temple custodian filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court to halt the opening of vault B, saying "it could invite the wrath of the deity.""Opening of the last cellar namely 'B' is not advisable at all because the sign of the serpent visible at the entrance indicates that it is not auspicious to open it.

"However, a decision on this may be taken after conducting the traditional 'deva prashnam' (ritual) so as not to incur the displeasure of Lord Padmanabha by opening it," said the affidavit.

Following the apex court's order, Kerala officials have not opened vault B.

Antique gold ornaments, diamonds, precious stones, golden crown, bow and vessels made of gold -- estimated at a staggering US$20 billion -- were found in the temple's secret chambers.

So far, five of the six underground chambers had been opened for inspection.

- Bernama