Mumbai, Sep 2 - Late selling Wednesday pulled down a key index of the Indian equities markets, forcing it to shut shop 83 points lower than its previous close after a lacklustre day of trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 15,482.05 points, ended at 15,467.46 points, down 83.73 points or 0.54 percent from its previous close of 15,551.19 points.

The broader-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) followed the Sensex to end at 4,608.35 points, down 0.37 percent.

Broader market indices also ended up on the losing side, with the BSE midcap index closing 0.68 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index ending 0.32 percent down.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,163 stocks advancing, 1,601 declining and 82 remaining unchanged.

Among the gainers were Reliance Communications, up 4.56 percent at Rs.276.05; Hindustan Unilever, up 2.01 percent at Rs.266.95; Hero Honda, up 1.4 percent at Rs.1,556.30; and TCS, up 1.19 percent at Rs.532.85.

The leading losers were Sterlite, down 3.16 percent at Rs.635.15; BHEL, down 2.