India, July 20 -- Indian equity markets traded sharply lower on Monday, with benchmark indices coming under heavy selling pressure due to weakness in private banking stocks, rising crude oil prices, and growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The decline followed disappointing investor reaction to major banks' quarterly earnings and concerns over the impact of the ongoing US-Iran conflict on global markets.

Sensex and Nifty Open in the Red

The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 opened significantly lower as investors reacted to weak global cues and heavy selling in banking stocks. In early trade, the Sensex dropped more than 600 points to 77,556.03, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 24,200 mark, losing around 120 points. As the se...