Mumbai, Apr 11 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets fell nearly 100 points in the afternoon session Wednesday due to selling pressure in metal, telecom and oil and gas stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the red at 17,125.96 points, was ruling at 17,144.19 points, down 0.58 percent or 99.65 points from its previous close at 17,243.84 points.

The Sensex touched a low of 17,075.89 points and high of 17,152.42 points in the intra-day.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.50 percent down at 5,217.20 points.

Selling pressure was witnessed in metal, telecom, oil and gas and technology stocks.

Sterlite Inds was down 2.78 percent at Rs.101.40. Jindal Steel was ruling 2.34 percent down, Tata Steel was down 1.52 percent and BHEL was down 1.49 percent.

The heavyweight Reliance Industries was trading 1.22 percent down at Rs.733.95.

Most sectoral indices were in the red with the BSE metal index trading 1.32 percent down. The consumer goods index was 0.99 percent and the realty index was down 0.90 percent.