An accused in a gold smuggling case fled from a Chittagong court before delivery of a verdict yesterday.

The convict, Belal Uddin, 35, of Fatikchhari upazila, who was on bail, informed the court of his presence in the morning, said court sources. Around 2:00pm, the case documents were produced before the court for pronouncing the verdict.

When the court asked whether the accused was present, Belal could not be traced out. Later, showing him absconding, the court sentenced him to she years' imprisonment. Belal was arrested on March 31, 2015 at the Chittagong airport along with 19 gold bars.