Section 6 in Andhra Pradesh Forest Settlement Rules, 1969
6.
The Forest Settlement Officer may, at any time, combine any number of claims, provided they are all situated in the same proposed reserved forest area, in order to hold a common inquiry, or may sever any claims jointly made in order to hold separate inquiries at his discretion. It shall not be necessary to take for a second time, evidence already recorded in an enquiry relating to another claim. However, in deciding upon the claim of any person, the Forest Settlement Officer shall admit previously recorded evidence or documents, and may also recite a previous decision in disposing of a case; the person whose claim is thus treated shall be entitled to obtain a copy of such previous evidence, document or decisions, as if it had been recorded during the enquiry into his own claim.
