The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange fell 71 points, or or 0.4 per cent, to 17,470 in early trade, today, on fresh selling by funds ahead of first quarter GDP growth data, and in line with subdued Asian markets. After the release of the growth numbers, the Sensex lost some more ground, and stood 149 points, or 0.9 per cent in negative territory, at 17,392, in voaltile afternoon trade, a short while ago.Key stock indices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and South Korea had fallen between 0.1 percent and 1.5 percent, today, on investor cautuion ahead of US central bank chairman Ben Bernanke's speech later in the day. Across in the US, the US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.8 per cent lower in yesterday's trade.Rupee declined by 9 paise to 55.72 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on increased demand from oil importers for the American currency.Forex dealers said besides increased dollar demand, a weak opening in the domestic equity market ahead of first quarter GDP data also put pressure on the rupee,They, however, added that euro's gains against the dollar in the overseas markets capped rupee's losses