The CBI on Monday filed a chargesheet before a Purulia court on the March 13 murder of Congress councillor Tapan Kandu, more than two months after it was asked to take up the probe by Calcutta High Court.

The CBI in its 30 page chargesheet accused five persons of murder and conspiracy.

Kandu’s wife Purnima had claimed the hand of local Trinamul leaders and inspector-in-charge of Jhalda police station Sanjib De and moved high court demanding a CBI probe, which was granted on April 4.

But the CBI did not name De in the chargesheet, at which Purnima expressed surprise. She also said local Trinamul leaders were not booked yet, but she had faith in the CBI.

Among those named were Tapan’s relative Naren Kandu, Naren’s son Dipak, Kalebar Singh and Md Ashik Khan, who were arrested by the SIT of Purulia police before the case went to the CBI, and Naren’s business partner Satyaban Pramanik was arrested by the CBI.

“De’s name can be included during the next course of investigation and the CBI can file a supplementary chargesheet anytime,” said a source.

No CBI officer present in Purulia court commented on the chargesheet. But sources said the CBI chargesheet was apparently on the lines of the probe done by the SIT.

“No significant arrests were made by the CBI nor did it make any new breakthrough in the murder case,” said a source.

Sources also said the CBI had been asked to submit its chargesheet before the court within 45 days of taking up the probe but took 71 days to do it.

“The CBI had no alternative but to file the chargesheet now as arrested persons were likely to get bail from court after completing 90 days. The first two arrests were made on March 15 and 88 days elapsed since. They were likely to get bail in two days,” said a source.

A bypoll to ward 2 of Jhalda municipality will be held on June 26. The Congress has fielded Tapan’s nephew Mithun Kandu from the ward.