Mumbai, June 23 (Inditop.com) A key index of the Indian equities market fell sharply at opening bell Tuesday, dipping more than 218 points within five minutes of starting trade.

The benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened lower at 14,147.87 points was ruling at 14,109.43 points, 218.79 points or 1.53 percent below Monday’s close.

The S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too fell since opening, slipping 1.17 percent to rule at 4,185.65 points around the same time.

Broader market indices also were ruling in negative terrain, with the BSE midcap index ruling 1.64 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index moving down 1.67 percent.