For the BENEFIT OF WIVES who are reading this and planning to file false cases: Just read this - it might be bad for husbands to file false cases, but the GREEDY lawyers would NEVER tell you that filing a false case can harm you more ! The conviction rate in 498a cases is just 2%, so most probably even if you fight for years there would be no punishment to him - and you will waste lacs of Rupees to give to these lawyers. Moreover, if it is proved that it was a false case, the Husband's family will file cases of perjury, and then defamation worth much more than what you imagine to get from them. This legal battle is of no benefit to anyone except criminal policemen, and greedy lawyers.
Read here for more bad consequences of filing a false case :
https://ipc498a.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/consequences-for-filing-a-false-498a/