A benchmark index of Indian equities markets plunged 216.73 points or 0.83 percent Monday as metal stocks dipped.
Most of the stocks were trading in red and selling pressure was seen in metal, oil and gas, banking and auto sectors.
The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,173.47 points, was trading at 25,910.02 points (at 12.42 p.m.) in the early session, down 216.73 points or 0.83 percent from the previous day's close at 26,126.75 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 26,181.83 points and a low of 25,908.53 points in the trade so far.
The S&P BSE metal index plummeted by 234.50 points, oil and gas index plunged by 110.77 points, bankex dropped by 102.73 points and auto index went down by 62.70 points.
The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 58.15 points or 0.75 percent down at 7,732.30 points.