New Delhi, July 14 -- The Income Tax Department initiated a large-scale verification operation across multiple locations in the country on Monday, targeting individuals and entities facilitating fraudulent claims of deductions and exemptions in Income Tax Returns (ITRs).

This action follows a detailed analysis of the misuse of tax benefits under the Income-tax Act, 1961, often in collusion with professional intermediaries, as per a statement from Central Board of Direct Taxes.

CBDT said investigations have uncovered organised rackets operated by certain ITR preparers and intermediaries, who have been filing returns claiming fictitious deductions and exemptions.

These fraudulent filings, according to CBDT, involve the abuse of beneficia...