Kautilya's Arthashastra 7.6.26

7.6.26

svāmino doṣeṇa gataḥ parasmāt svadoṣeṇāgata iti kāraṇād gato 'kāraṇād āgataḥ tarkayitavyaḥ "paraprayuktaḥ svena vā doṣeṇāpakartukāmaḥ, parasyocchettāram amitraṃ me jñātvā pratighātabhayād āgataḥ, paraṃ vā mām ucchettukāmaṃ parityajyānṛśaṃsyād āgataḥ" iti //

Whoever runs away owing to his master's fault and returns owing to his own defects, is a renegade who had reason to run away, but none to return: and his case is to be well considered (before he is taken back).

Whoever returns deputed by the enemy; or of his own accord, with the intention of hurting his old master, as is natural to persons of such bad character; or coming to know that his old master is attempting to put down the enemy, his new master, and apprehensive of danger to himself; or looking on the attempt of his new master to destroy his old master as cruelty, these should be examined; and if he is found to be actuated with good motives, he is to be taken back respectfully; otherwise, he should be kept at a distance.