Omar pardons Jan, orders his release

Police official Ahad Jan, arrested for throwing a shoe towards the Chief Minister on Sunday, being shifted from hospital back to police custody on Monday 16, August 2010.

In a goodwill gesture, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday pardoned the suspended head constable Abdul Ahad Jan, who had thrown a shoe at him during the Independence Day function in Srinagar on Sunday, and asked the police to withdraw the case against him.

Releasing him on compassionate grounds, Mr. Abdullah called Jan to his residence and gave him a patient hearing. Thereafter, Mr. Abdullah directed the authorities to release him, a spokesman said.

“The Holy month of Ramzan teaches us to be compassionate and to forgive everyone. My steps are in conformity with the teachings of Islam which does not teach hatred but only love and brotherhood,” Mr. Abdullah said.