Unabated selling in heavyweights - Reliance, Reliance Communications and Tata Steel saw the index extend its losses as the day progressed. Higher than expected inflation numbers further dampened the sentiment.
The index tumbled to its lowest level in this calendar year to 14,519 - down 683 points from the day's high. The Sensex finally ended with a provisional loss of 498 points at 14,590.
The NSE Nifty was down 149 points at 4,355.