Stock Market: Sensex down by 254, trading at 79,451

Indian equity markets faced a sharp decline in early trade on Monday as investor sentiment soured following allegations by the Hindenburg Research against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband. The report, released on Saturday, accused Buch and her husband of having undisclosed investments in obscure offshore funds, raising concerns about potential regulatory and market implications.