Edited sentence: 498a can only be invoked by wife/daughter-in-law or her relative.A typical case goes on for years (5-7 years is typical) and the conviction rate is about 2% only.Even if the complaint is false, they shall be presumed guilty until  proven that they are innocent.In most cases 498a complaint is followed by the demand of huge amount of money (extortion) to settle the case out of the court.In these cases unsuspecting family of husband has to go through a lot of mental torture and harassment by the corrupt Indian legal system.Most cases where Sec 498A is invoked turn out to be false (as repeatedly accepted by High Courts and Supreme Court in India) as they are mere blackmail attempts by the wife (or her close relatives) when faced with a strained marriage.Some accused parents, sisters and even husbands have committed suicide after time in jail.The husband, his old parents and relatives are immediately arrested without sufficient investigation and put behind bars on a non-bailable terms.There have been countless instances where, without any investigation, the police has arrested elderly parents, unmarried sisters, pregnant sister-in-laws and even 3 year old children.This section is non-bailable(you have to appear in court and get bail from the judge), non-compoundable (complaint can't be withdrawn) and cognizable (register and investigate the complaint, although in practice most of the time arrest happens before investigation).Wife/daughter-in-law who's demands are not met can make a written false complaint of dowry harassment to a nearby police station