New Delhi: The Centre has issued an advisory to state governments asking them to prevent misuse of the dowry harassment law, the Rajya Sabha was informed today .

Under this law, the accused are immediately arrested without possibility of bail.

"A number of representations have been received from various quarters regarding the misuse of the provisions of Section 498 A of the IPC (subjecting married women to cruelty)," law minister M. Veerappa Moily said in a written reply .

Those found guilty under this law can be imprisoned for up to three years.