Pardoning for handing over (9)

I believe the answer is:

forgiving

'pardoning' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'for handing over' is the wordplay.
'handing over' becomes 'giving' (I've seen this before).
'for'+'giving'='FORGIVING'

(Other definitions for forgiving that I've seen before include "Ready to excuse" , "Pardoning" , "Lenient" , "Excusing" , "Giving pardon" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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