Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Tuesday fell 396 points from its previous close amid heavy selling on weak global cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,942.82 points, shut shop at 16,548.5 points (provisional), 396.13 points or 2.34 percent down from its previous close at 16,944.63 points.

Heavyweight Reliance Industries was the major drag with the scrip losing 3.31 percent at 1,010.50.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 4,964.45 points, down 2.4 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets indices too were hit by the selling spree, with the BSE midcap index ruling 1.44 percent down and the BSE smallcap index 1.06 percent lower.

Metal, realty, banking and energy scrips faced bulk of the selling pressure, with all the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE ending in the red.