MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark sensex tanked over 400 points on Monday after three sessions of gains as rupee again breached the 65-mark.

The 30-share index lost 221.29 points, or 1.19 per cent, in early trade with banking, realty, metal PSUs and oil and gas sector stocks leading the fall.

It later fell further and was down over 450 points at 11.30am.

Sensex had gained over 652 points in the previous three sessions.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 80.95 points, or 1.48 per cent, to 5,395.55 in the early trade.

It was down over 140 points at 11.30am.

Brokers said sentiments turned weak on emergence of selling after the rupee again breached 65-level by falling 104 paise to Rs 65.34 against the dollar and a weakening trend on the other Asian bourses, tracking losses in US markets.

Meanwhile, continuing Monday's slide, the rupee on Tuesday again breached 65-mark against dollar falling sharply by 104 paise to trade at 65.34 on strong month-end dollar demand from importers and a weak opening in the domestic equity market.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency opened sharply lower at 65 a dollar from its previous close of 64.30 and breached 65 level to trade at 65.34, not far from its all-time low of 65.56 reached last week.

Forex dealers said besides heavy month-end demand for the US currency from importers and persistent capital outflows, dollar's strength against other currencies overseas weighed on the domestic currency.

The rupee had recorded a steep fall of 110 paise to close at 64.30 against the dollar in the previous session.

(With inputs from PTI)