Equity indices plunged sharply on Monday with the benchmark BSE sensex crashing over 1,300 points amid concerns over a new Covid-19 strain. The 30-share BSE index dived more than 2.5%; while the broader NSE Nifty was testing the 13,400-mark. Major laggards in the BSE pack included ONGC, IndusInd Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, SBI, NTPC, ITC, Axis Bank and PowerGrid with their stocks down as much as 9.15 per cent.