The BSE benchmark Sensex lost over 97 points in opening trade today on sustained selling by funds and retail investors amid fears of a hike in key interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India at its monetary policy review meeting today. The 30-share barometer, which has lost almost 604 points in the previous six sessions, fell by 97.39 points, or 0.51 per cent to 18,900.63 within the first few minutes of trade today, with auto, banking, consumer durables and realty sector stocks coming under pressure. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index declined by 25.80 points, or 0.45 per cent, to 5,675.50.