Mixed global cues also affected the market sentiment.
Brokers said sentiment was downbeat after Mistry was removed as chairman of India's largest conglomerate Tata Group.
Foreign funds sold shares worth a net Rs 325.13 crore yesterday, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.
Shares of FMCG, PSU Bank, IT and Realty sectors fell moderately.
The NSE 50-share Nifty opened higher at 8,721.70 and moved in a range of 8,722.65 and 8,663.45 before ending below 8,700 level at 8,691.30, showing a loss of 17.65 points or 0.20 per cent.
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European stocks edged higher in their afternoon trade with corporate earnings dominating market moves. Key indices in France, Germany and UK rose by 0.16 pct to 0.35 pct.
Turning to the domestic market, M&M fell by 2.64 pct followed by Tata Steel 2.53 pct, Gail India 2.03 pct, IDEA 1.95 pct and HUL 1.89 pct.
However, Adani port rose by 9.50 pct followed by DR Reddy's Lab 3.60 pct, Infratel 2.58 pct, Bharti Airel 1.68 pct and Icici Bank 1.65 pct.
Turnover in cash segment rose to 20,503.19 crores from Rs 18,598.53 crore yesterday.
A total of 10,844.17 lakh shares changed hands in 7,929,498 trades. The market capitalisation of NSE stood at Rs 11,196,978 crore.