Sensex crashes 806 points as selling intensifies on weak ₹

went into a free fall on Thursday with the benchmark Sensex crashing over 806 points to end below the 35,200level after the rupee crashed to a new lifetime low and global crude price breached the US $86 a barrel.

The weakness in other Asian markets and a lower opening of the European shares added to negative sentiments on the domestic bourses.

A sharp plunge, mainly in healthcare, IT, oil and gas, banking and auto, pulled the Sensex lower by 806.47 points, or 2.24%, to close at 35,169.16 points, extending losses for the second straight day. Intra-day, it hit a low of 35,022.12.

This is the lowest closing since July 2 when it had settled at 35,264.41.

The gauge had lost 550.51 points on Wednesday on worsening rupee woes coupled with surging crude oil prices and unabated foreign fund outflows.

The bloodbath on bourses was primarily triggered by continued slide in the rupee which hit yet another low of 73.81 (intraday) against the dollar, brokers said.

Participants indulged in an intense sell-off after the crude hit a four-year high to breach the US $86 a barrel and the rupee hitting record lows.

Besides, traders have been cautious ahead of the outcome of the ongoing three-day RBI policy meet that began Wednesday.

Also, weak cues from other most Asian markets as high US yield and upbeat economic data led to fear that investors would move to the US, accelerated selling pace on the domestic bourses, they added.

MUMBAI:Markets