Sensex tumbles 364 points to over 4-month low

The BSE benchmark Sensex plunged to an over four-month low, losing 364 points on across the board selling on emergence of reports that government might impose capital gain tax on investments routed through Mauritius.

A weakening trend in Asia and lower opening in Europe on the European Union's decision to delay Euros 12 bn aid to Greece until it passes austerity package at home also fanned market fears of Greece's sovereign debt default in the mid of July.

The Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex, which had lost over 438 points in the last three trading sessions, plunged by another 363.90 points to 17,506.63, the levels last seen on February 9.

Further, during the intra-day trade, the gauge had dipped by 556 points, with most of the stocks recording steep losses.

Broadbased National Stock Exchange's 50-share index Nifty nosedived by almost 109 points to 5257.90 level.

Trading sentiment turned bearish on major sell-off by funds and retailers on reports that the government will sought to tax capital gains on investments made through Mauritius.

Sensex leader RIL fell nearly four per cent to a 52-week low of Rs829 a piece.

The markets already weak after hike in interest rates and reports of lower advance tax collection for the first quarter this fiscal, received another jolt after BSE announced on Friday that Anil Ambani group companies stocks -- Reliance Infra and Rcom -- will be removed from the Sensex by August 8.

Reliance Infra sank 6.07% to Rs545.25 and Rcom by 7.89% to Rs87.60 on fresh selling.

Among sector indexes, the realty sector index suffered the most, losing 4.16% to 2,016.49 followed by Oil and Gas index that dwindled by 3.42% to 8,6568.42.

The IT sector index plunged by 2.50% to 5,673.38 as Tata Consultancy Services dropped 3.69% to 1,069.55 on reports the software maker has been ordered to pay Rs6.56 billion in back taxes after tax officials denied some of its claims.