The man issued a fine for 'screaming' in public says he was just singing a song (Representational Image)
Montreal , Canada (BBN) - A Canadian man says he was issued a $149 (approximately Rs. 7,600) ticket for "screaming in a public place." He says he was merely singing along to his favourite '90s dance track, in the privacy of his own car.
Turns out, police officers did not like the sound of his music. Or his singing, to be precise, reports NDTV.
38-year-old Taoufik Moalla was driving in Montreal last month when police pulled him over and asked whether he had been screaming.
He had, in fact, been singing along to his favourite song, C+C Music Factory's Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).
"I was singing the refrain Everybody Dance Now, but it wasn't loud enough to disturb anyone," Mr Moalla told the Montreal Gazette.
He was on his way to the grocery store near his house when the song started playing in his CD player.
Police checked the inside of his car along with his licence and registration. They handed back his documents along with a nasty surprise - a $149 ticket.
Mr Moalla said getting the ticket left him "shocked and upset."
"I don't know if my voice was very bad and that's why I got the ticket, but I was very shocked," Mr Moalla told CTV Montreal. "I understand if they are doing their job, they are allowed to check if everything's okay, if I kidnapped someone or if there's danger inside but I would never expect they would give me a ticket for that."
Mr Moalla is contesting the fine.
Fortunately, at least his wife seems to see the humour in the situation.
"She told me, if it was for singing, I'd have given you a ticket for $300," Mr Moalla said.
BBN/MMI/ANS