Mumbai, April 23 -- Selling pressure deepened in the domestic stock markets on Thursday, with benchmark indices closing sharply lower as crude oil prices surged above USD 100 per barrel, dampening investor sentiment.

The Nifty 50 index declined by 205 points to close at 24,173.05, down 0.84 per cent, while the BSE Sensex fell by 852.49 points to settle at 77,664.00, registering a decline of 1.09 per cent.

Market experts attributed the weakness to rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding developments in West Asia.

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that Indian equity markets extended their losses as sentiment turned negative amid stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States.

He said, "Sentiment deteriorated ...