Sensex sharply tumbles 500 points on first monthly expiry after CAS, Nifty closes below 24,100. What lies ahead?

Indian equities fell sharply on Thursday, erasing gains during the first monthly expiry under the new closing auction session. Sensex dropped 539 points, or 0.7%, while Nifty declined 117 points, or 0.48%. HDFC Bank and NTPC led losses, while Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank and Tech Mahindra gained.