The benchmark index of the Indian equities market closed lower on Monday with the 30-scrip sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, closing at 19,324.77 points, 171.05 points or 0.88 percent lower from the previous close of 19,495.82 points. The Sensex had a turnover of 3.75 billion rupees (about 61.47 million U.S. dollars).