Indian equity markets fell for the second straight session on Tuesday, weighed down by weak realty stocks and persistent foreign selling.

The BSE Sensex closed 242.65 points, or 0.33 per cent, lower at 72,529.07. The NSE Nifty 50 slipped 64.05 points, or 0.28 per cent, to end at 22,716.20.

Realty stocks were among the biggest drags on the indices as investors stayed cautious. Market breadth was weak, with decliners outnumbering advancers across sectors.

Sentiment has been hit by elevated crude oil prices, which hovered around $107 a barrel on concerns over Middle East supply disruptions tied to the US-Iran conflict. Foreign institutional investors have pulled out $3.7 billion so far in September, deepening the pressure.

Analysts see support for the Nifty at 22,600 and 22,400, with resistance at 22,900 to 23,100. Broader markets fared no better, with midcap and smallcap indices also closing in the red as risk appetite faded. Investors are expected to stay cautious until crude prices stabilise and foreign selling eases. Markets will track US economic data and crude movements for direction in the coming sessions.