Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday demanded justice for a Class 12 student who died after being set ablaze by a man for not reciprocating his overtures, and said the person who committed the crime be punished at the earliest.

The incident took place in Jharkhand's Dumka district on August 23. The accused, identified as Shahrukh, allegedly poured petrol on the teenager from outside the window of her room when she was sleeping and set her on fire, according to police.

The woman, who was undergoing treatment at Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), died in the early hours of Sunday.

The girl and her family will get justice only when the perpetrator of this cruelty get the harshest punishment at the earliest, the former Congress chief said.

He also called for creating a safe environment in the country for women.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Jharkhand -- The incident of ruthless murder of a girl studying in 12th is heart-wrenching. Criminals should be given punishment at the earliest."

For crime prevention and justice, it is necessary that strict and speedy legal process should be completed in incidents of crime against women, she said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Jharkhand government on Monday handed over a compensation of Rs 9 lakh to the next of kin of the girl.

The Class 12 student succumbed to her burn injuries at a government hospital here on Sunday.

The National Commission for Women has also sought an action taken report from the police within seven days.

The incident happened in Dumka town on August 23 when the accused, identified as Shahrukh, allegedly poured petrol on the teenager from outside the window of her room when she was sleeping and set her on fire, the police said.

The girl was first admitted to the Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka in a critical condition with 90 per cent burns and later referred to another hospital.The accused in the case has been arrested.