Indian benchmark indices ended in red on Thursday, dragged down by heavy selling across rate-sensitive, commodity and FMCG stocks.

Investor sentiment was hit by a sharp rise in crude oil prices and growing expectations that tighter monetary conditions in India and globally could persist for longer.

The 30-share benchmark index ended at 71593.24 down by -1045.46 points or by -1.44 % and then NSE Nifty was at 22231.8 down by -371.25 points or by -1.64 %.

Sensex touched intraday high of 72693.97 and intraday low of 71327.75 The NSE Nifty touched intraday high of 22599.05 and intraday low of 22179.9

The top gainers of the BSE Sensex pack were Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Rs. 1495.70,+0.44%), Axis Bank Ltd. (Rs. 1247.00,+0.25%), Infosys Ltd. (Rs. 994.15,+0.21%), among others.

The top losers of the BSE Sensex pack were ITC Ltd. (Rs. 254.05,-4.24%), InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (Rs. 4813.00,-3.36%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (Rs. 245.40,-3.16%), Bharat Electronics Ltd. (Rs. 367.10,-3.10%), Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. (Rs. 1702.80,-2.59%), among others.

IT index was at 26631.67 up by -99.57 points or by -0.37%. Empower India Ltd. (Rs. 1.84,+4.55%), Mastek Ltd. (Rs. 1653.95,+1.78%), Hexaware Technologies Ltd. (Rs. 513.00,+1.54%), Mphasis Ltd. (Rs. 2315.00,+1.34%), DC Infotech and Communication Ltd. (Rs. 344.25,+1.22%),.

Power index was at 6941.26 down by -252.45 points or by -3.51%. Adani Green Energy Ltd. (Rs. 1240.00,-7.53%), Suzlon Energy Ltd. (Rs. 36.48,-4.88%), Siemens Energy India Ltd. (Rs. 3190.00,-4.77%), Adani Power Ltd. (Rs. 188.00,-4.37%), Siemens Ltd. (Rs. 3643.00,-4.24%),.

The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was weak. On BSE out of total shares traded 4902 , shares advanced were 1125 while 3538 shares declined and 239 were unchanged.