The BSE Sensex fell 47 points to 17,512 in afternoon deals today. Earlier, Sensex fell for the third day in a row and lost over 33 points in the opening trade today.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty declined by 14 points, to 5,308. The rupee lost 16 paise to 55.43 against the US dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on strengthening of the American currency overseas. The rupee had strengthened by 15 paise to close at 55.27 against the US dollar yesterday on sustained capital inflows.