Sensex, Nifty tumble as investors fear stricter restrictions to contain Covid-19

The NSE Nifty 50 index fell 1.27% to 14,445.1 by 9.16 am on Monday, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex dropped 1.35% to 48,123.2.

Indian shares started May on a weak footing amid growing calls, including from an industry body, to impose curbs at the national level to rein in the COVID-19 spread, with conglomerate Reliance Industries leading losses after missing profit estimates. The NSE Nifty 50 index fell 1.27% to 14,445.1 by 9.16 am on Monday, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex dropped 1.35% to 48,123.2. A leading industry body on Sunday urged authorities to take the "strongest national steps" to curtail economic activity and save lives, as the coronavirus continued to sweep the nation and overwhelm its healthcare systems.