Mozammel Hossain came up with the remark at a press conference at Barguna Press Club at 12 pm.
Quoting a report from a national daily, he said a few days ago, before the murder, Rifat and his wife Minni went to a restaurant beside the house of chairman Md Delwar Hossain when his wife Shamsunnahar and Rifat locked into a quarrel over parking Rifat’s motorcycle in front of their house.
At one point of the squabble, Rifat hurled abuses at Shamsunnahar while she threatened Rifat to teach him a good lesson, he said.
Shamsunnahar complained against Rifat to her two nephews -- Rifat Farazi and Rishan Farazi -- who were seen at the forefront of the murder spot in the video footage of the killing.
“Rifat Sharif’s father Dulal Sharif being instigated by local influential group demanded our arrest. I strongly protest it. Minni was arrested to cover up Rifat’s murder and now it would be possible to hide the masterminds of the killing if me and my wife are arrested,” he added.
Minni’s husband Rifat Sharif, 22, was attacked with sharp weapons near the main gate of Barguna Government College. His wife Aysha Siddika Minni appeared to be trying to protect him during the broad daylight attack caught on surveillance camera.
Police arrested Minni on July 16 after a daylong interrogation, suspecting her involvement in the murder.
Police have so far arrested 16 people over the murder. Besides, main accused Sabbir Ahmed alias Nayon Bond was killed in a reported gunfight with law enforcers on July 2.