Marketmen said players who were major participants for long bull-run, started off-loading their positions to book profits at current higher levels. They said the market was in a highly over-bought position and a technical correction was overdue.

After some initial wild movements, the Delhi Stock Exchange sensitive index ended 19.72 points or nearly 2 per cent down at 904.29 points after crossing 930 points in early trading.

Stocks of software, automobiles and multi-national companies were major sufferers of the day.

Software Solution plunged Rs 37.20 to close at Rs 332.80, Satyam Computer tumbled Rs 55.90 to close at Rs 466.10, while HCL Infosystem lost Rs 8.75 to close the day at Rs 134.50.

Silverline declined by Rs 3.90 to close at Rs 77 on selling by profit-takers. Hindustan Lever lost Rs 29to close at Rs 1630, ITC lost Rs 10.50 at Rs 775.50, while Castrol India declined Rs 14 to Rs 701.