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 20659.52 points, 56.06 points or 0.27 percent lower from the previous close of 20715.58 points. The Sensex had a turnover of 4.37 billion rupees (about 70.44 million U.S. dollars).