The Viṣṇudūtas said: Alas, how painful it is that irreligion is being introduced into an assembly where religion should be maintained. Indeed, those in charge of maintaining the religious principles are needlessly punishing a sinless, unpunishable person.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । अहो कष्टं धर्मदृशामधर्मः स्पृशते सभाम् । यत्रादण्ड्येष्वपापेषु दण्डो यैर्ध्रियते वृथा
viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | aho kaṣṭaṃ dharmadṛśāmadharmaḥ spṛśate sabhām | yatrādaṇḍyeṣvapāpeṣu daṇḍo yairdhriyate vṛthā
SB 6.2.2