The laws are considered to be failing to protect those most affected by dowry abuse, mostly women with a a decreasing trend in rate of conviction.
Conversely the legal system presents opportunity for those who are unscrupulous and with means to inflict abuse, through the legal system through a misuse of the law by filing false dowry cases.
It may be that women and their families are the greater offenders in this aspect, but this needs to be balanced with the lack of any other proper remedies available to women. Men have a vastly more privileged position, in India and the surrounding countries laws and regulations still legally attach a woman to man eg his name (father/husband) must be listed in her passport, ration card (ID card) etc.
Whether a claim is true or false the consequences can be devastating and to both parties. Dowry law proceedings can result in very serious charges and penalties up to the death penalty. The costs of legal proceedings to families is high and unavoidable if they value their liberty and known to ruin entire families.