₹ in free fall, sinks 56 paise to new 16-month low of 68.07 a $

It has been in a virtual free fall for the Indian unit which settled a hairs breadth below its intra-day low of 68.15 a dollar.

This is the lowest closing for the rupee since January 24, 2017 when it had ended at 68.15 against the US dollar.

Overall forex market has been hampered on the heels of the boiling global crude prices - its highest advances since 2014 is squeezing the carry-trade returns on the rupee to a point where they are the worst in Asia.

Crude prices hit a 3-year high supported by tight supply and planned US sanctions against Iran that are likely to restrict crude oil exports from one of the biggest producers in the Middle East

The Brent crude, an international benchmark, was trading at $78.96 a barrel in early Asian trade.

India being a net crude oil importer, a rise in prices can affect the import bill and disrupt the fiscal position, derailing growth potential.

Hardening prospect of a series Fed rate hike this year along with exodus of capital outflows were the other major trigger points exerting pressure on the rupee, a forex dealer commented.

The trouble is that a free-fall in the currency would lead to a wave of corporate bankruptcies and rating impact on these companies as they have kept most of their foreign currency exposures unhedged largely bettting on rupee stability, a forex dealer warned.

Moreover, the global sentiment is already cautious because of US President Donald Trump's protectionist stance and threat of a trade war.

However, domestic equities witnessed a largely muted reaction after the poll outcome suggesting that the BJP might not be able to reach the half-way mark on its own to claim government formation in Karnataka.

The market had rallied in early trade on investors' hope that the BJP would get the absolute majority to form a government and opening a path for more reforms.

The rupee opened lower at 67.68 from overnight level of 67.51 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market.

It remained under immense pressure most part of the day reacting to poll outcome as Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP forming a government in the state comes as a positive sign for the beleaguered Indian rupee.

The Indian unit finally broke down of key 68-mark and plunged sharply to fresh session low of 68.15 in the last hour before ending at 68.07, revealing a sharp loss of 56 paise, or 0.83 per cent.