The maximum punishment in 498A case is 3 years. In our country the conviction rate in 498A cases is very very low.
Dont loose heart, fight hard, Moreover in DV case there is no imprisonment, at first stage protection order will be passed and in case the protection order is voilated then criminal proceedings will be initiated.
In your case there is no prayer for protection order, your wife prayed for compensation, which is not to be confused and mixed with maintenance and alimony.
In order to get compensation she need to prove all her allegation beyond doubt and also she need to explain to the court how she reached to the conclusion that 25 lacs is appropriate for compensation.
So dont loose your cool and go for chamber consultation to a good lawyer in your city. show him all documents then he will do the needful. In our country there are many good advocates who now how to contest a DV case, atleast they dont get confused with compensation and alimony.
The text of the law is given below:
Indian Penal Code - Section 498A, IPC
Introduced in the Penal Code by Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act of 1983
(Act No. 46 of 1983)
498A. HUSBAND OR RELATIVE OF HUSBAND OF A WOMAN SUBJECTING
HER TO CRUELTY:
Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such
woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
three years and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation: For the purposes of this section, "cruelty" means
(a) Any willful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to
commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether
mental or physical) of the woman;
or
(b) Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or
any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable
security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such
demand.
