(Image source from: Not allowing to meet led to attack})

Person, not being able to meet Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Bukhari, a 32-year-old man allegedly threw a bottle of kerosene at the cleric today in an attempt to set him ablaze.

Kamaluddin, a resident of 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, was immediately nabbed by Bukhari's Personal Security Officers (PSOs) and later handed over to local police.

The incident took place when the Imam was leading the namaz of 'Maghrib'. A man suddenly threw a plastic bottle which had kerosene, at him from behind. The attacker was caught by Imam's PSOs. He has been taken to the nearby police station," Amanullah, Bukhari's official spokesperson told PTI.

During interrogation, Kamaluddin told police that he wanted to meet the Imam and when he could not get through, he threw the bottle.

We are trying to establish as to why he wanted to meet Bukhari but so far his utterances have not been very coherent, Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar said.

The incident, which took place inside the premises of the 17th century Jama Masjid raised questions over its security as the man managed to carry a bottle of inflammatory substance inside the monument.

Door frame metal detectors have been established on all the entrance gates of the mosque which are manned by armed Delhi Police personnel.

Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, is located across the Red Fort. The Mughal-era monument has witnessed two terrorist attacks.

The first incident took place on April 14, 2006 when two explosions had occurred in the courtyard of Jama Masjid while the second took place on September 19, 2010 when two gunmen on a motorcycle fired at a tourist bus near Gate 3 of the mosque.

AW: Arun Kumar