Bhagavatapurana 1.7.53

1.7.53

/0 śrībhagavān uvāca
brahmabandhurna hantavya ātatāyī vadhārhaṇaḥ /
mayaivobhayam āmnātaṃ paripāhyanuśāsanam //

53. Sri Krishna said:—The fallen Brahman, (being still a Brahman), ought not to be slain, but as a ruffian he deserves to lose his life. I myself say both (this and that); (wisely) carry out the (twofold) command (of mine).