New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensex fell by 4.84 per cent in early trade on Thursday, extending its losses for the seventh straight session on heavy selling by funds and investors tracking weak global cues.

The 30-share-sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange which has lost over 1,750 points over the last six sessions, fell by another 424.56 points to 8,349.22 after 90 minutes of trading up to 11:40 am (0610GMT).

All sectoral indices were trading in the negative territory with major contributors to the fall being Reliance Industries, Infosys Technologies, Satyam Computers, Tata Consultancy, Wipro, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Bharti Airtel.

Similarly, the broader 50-share Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange also dipped by 123.25 points, down 4.68 per cent.

Weakness in US markets, where the key Dow Jones index tanked 5.07 per cent on Wednesday, also impacted the Indian bourses.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee depreciated by another 38 paise to a low of 50.40 against the dollar on increased capital outflows and strong demand for the US currency from importers amid weakening markets. (dpa)