Mumbai, March 16 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday closed over 231 points up with index heavyweight Reliance Industries contributing to most of the gains.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,169.84 points, shut shop at 17,396.9 points (provisional), up 231.91 points or 1.35 percent from its previous close at 17,396.9 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 5,202.05 points, up 1.43 percent against the previous close at 5,128.9 points.

Broader markets too saw buying interest as the BSE midcap index ended 1.08 percent higher and the BSE small cap index closed 1.27 percent up.